The Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) and the governing body for association football in South America (CONMEBOL) are asking the government to allow advertising by unauthorized operators.
In 2017, Uruguay passed Decree No. 366/017, which forbids advertising or promoting online gambling services that are not authorized by the state.
With the Copa Libertadores final approaching, scheduled to kick off on November 28, 2026, in Montevideo, Uruguay, the labor union (AFAL-COFE) is concerned about the possibility of undermining state law for the sake of a sporting event.
AFAL-COFE believes that adhering to the state's legislation is more than a commercial matter. In the labor union's press release about the issue, they echoed the World Health Organization's warning that commercialization and digitalization of gambling contribute to its normalization.
In 2025, the Copa Libertadores final attracted 48,000 international tourists and was watched by approximately 3 million people. AFAL-COFE is calling for CONMEBOL to either adapt to Uruguayan law or find another venue, forgoing the economic boost the event would deliver.
Moreover, AFAL-COFE questions AUF's motives for backing CONMEBOL, as the football association benefits from tax revenue generated by authorised gambling systems.
Backed by Entain, a consultation was also launched to ban gambling operators not licensed by the Gambling Commission from advertising and sponsorships in the UK.
Uruguay introduced gambling regulation 140 years ago, in 1882
