Bullrich pledges Senate action on Argentina gambling bill

Patricia Bullrich, leader of Argentina’s ruling La Libertad Avanza bloc in the Senate, has pledged to advance legislation addressing online gambling advertising and access by minors. Her November 6 announcement renewed attention on a proposal approved by the Chamber of Deputies in 2024, although she did not announce a date for a Senate floor debate or vote.

“Child gambling addiction is not a game,” Bullrich wrote on X, in the English translation published by iGaming Business. She said senators would consider the legislation in the coming weeks. Ámbito subsequently reported that people close to her expected committee consideration before November 20; that expectation was not a formally published parliamentary timetable.

The Chamber of Deputies approved the gambling-harm prevention and online betting bill on November 27, 2024, by 139 votes to 36, with 59 abstentions. Its official announcement confirms that the measure was forwarded to the Senate. The proposal combines restrictions on gambling promotion with identity verification, player-protection requirements and measures intended to prevent underage participation.

Senators had already supported a motion from Catamarca Sen. Lucía Corpacci to prioritize the legislation during the October 29 session. That procedural decision concerned the order in which the proposal should be considered; it did not approve the bill itself. The measure has been referred to the Health, General Legislation, and Justice and Criminal Affairs committees.

Pressure to resume consideration has come from opposition deputies and the Catholic Church. The Episcopal Commission for Social Ministry launched a petition supporting passage and warned that “doing nothing is also a decision”. Deputies led by Victoria Tolosa Paz also sought meetings with the Senate committee chairs responsible for the legislation, asking them to reactivate the parliamentary process.

Advertising, payments and identity checks face restrictions

The text sent to the Senate would prohibit online gambling advertising, promotion and sponsorship across television, radio, print, social networks and other channels. Its reach includes influencer marketing, endorsements by public figures, sports team sponsorships, stadium naming rights and betting branding on sports clothing. Promotion at concerts, festivals and other cultural events would also be covered.

Limited exceptions would permit advertising inside authorized gambling venues, betting agencies and lottery outlets, provided it displayed mandatory health warnings and assistance information. The proposal would also prohibit welcome bonuses and credit-card gambling payments. These provisions remain proposed requirements: the lower-house vote did not bring them into force or establish a nationwide prohibition on adult online gambling.

Operators would be required to verify identity and age through facial recognition connected to RENAPER, Argentina’s national population register. The checks would apply at registration, when sessions begin, during play, and before winnings are paid. Payment providers offering electronic wallets would also have obligations to prevent minors from using those services on gambling platforms.

A proposed national self-exclusion register would integrate provincial systems and provide coverage where no local register exists. Platforms would have to identify excluded users and prevent them from gambling. Other requirements include access to gambling histories, self-assessment tools, reminders about time spent playing, and automatic session closures under limits established by the implementing authority.

The advertising provisions follow wider scrutiny of betting promotion, including Argentine research into World Cup advertising and betting-related searches. The immediate legislative window is narrowing as ordinary congressional sessions end November 30. Consideration during extraordinary sessions would depend on the executive including the proposal on the agenda, while Senate amendments would require further consideration by the Chamber of Deputies.