Argentina Looking At Issuing Seven iGaming Licenses For The Capital

Argentina is looking at approving seven online gambling licenses for its capital city Buenos Aires as part of a proposed Budget Bill for 2019. A senate committee in Buenos Aires is reportedly looking into a budget proposal by Gov Maria Eugenia Vidal, which includes the approval of these online gambling licenses.

The seven licenses would authorize sports wagering, casino games, races, as well as pop culture events. The operators’ online revenue would be taxed 15%. The move is expected to increase the government’s annual gambling revenue which currently amounts to ARS2.2 billion (US$61.8 million).

Under the new Budget Bill, winnings from casino and bingo would face a 2% tax, which would go to a social fund.

Operators need to set up a shop in Buenos Aires as part of licensing requirements. Buenos Aires will also coordinate with other provinces in relation to unauthorized operators and would have their domain blocked if they cater to local punters without approval.

Government To Have Greater Powers

Gov Vidal has been a staunch critic of the gambling industry and her recently announced proposal comes as a bit of a surprise. She however remained firm in her stance that casino establishments and bingo halls should not be set up in poor places.

Vidal said authorizing in-home gambling access will ensure that the government has greater control and enough regulatory powers over the players, the operators, as well as the systems and processes involved. Self-exclusion tools will also be a requirement according to Vidal.

Misionbet’s On/Off Saga Continues in Misiones

In the province of Misiones, online gambling site Misionbet which is operated by the Provincial Institute of Lottery and Casinos of the State Society (IPLyC) has gone offline yet again. The site was forced to go offline in May 2017 following claims made by a Buenos Aires prosecutor that the site was serving Buenos Aires residents without approval from the province.

The online gaming site re-launched in January 2018 under the condition that it would only cater to residents in Misiones. However on October 31, the site had once again gone offline with a splash screen message implying that the platform is undergoing some work to improve its services.

The IPLyC released a statement which said Misionbet was taken offline for reasons they cannot control but it was still within the site’s security and transparency obligations.