Bettors in Argentina’s San Juan province have won about ARS18.5bn in gambling prizes since January, according to Juan Pablo Medina, President of the Caja de Acción Social de San Juan.
The local Quiniela paid out nearly ARS15.5bn while national games such as Quini 6, Loto, Telekino and Brinco added a little over ARS3bn.
Medina said the Quiniela total is up roughly ARS3.5bn, or 29.17%, from the same period of 2025, when the game paid about ARS12bn.
According to the official, large payouts began appearing more often in late 2023 and 2024, with sizable amounts paid almost every month, and have come nearly every week over the past year.
He also rejected the idea that the economic crisis is leading San Juan residents to bet more, calling it a myth. He attributed the growth in payouts instead to a mix of factors, including inflation, which raises bet values and therefore prizes. He also cited better communication about draws, the promotion of draws for non-winning Quiniela coupons, more attractive prizes and transparency measures such as paying 100% of the prize when the bank is broken.
He said: “We are very happy because a lot of prizes are coming out in the province. We know people need it, it helps them a lot and they spend it in the province, which helps everyone, businesses and everything.”
The recent Quini 6 prize of ARS1.418 billion was the largest ever paid in the province, adding that it could push 2026 toward a record year.
Agency and sub-agency owners also receive an incentive prize for a winning bet they sold, equal to 1% of the prize in this case. He added that such wins can raise an agency’s profile among bettors and may lead to higher sales.
Argentina’s Law 20,630, enacted in 1973, imposes a 31% tax on 90% of qualifying gambling prizes, equivalent to an effective rate of 27.9, but Quiniela prizes are excluded from this tax
