As Argentina awaits an upcoming general election on 27 October, the progression of an online gambling agenda for its Buenos Aires (BA) province remains somewhat less certain. 

As it stands, nine international operators have forged local partnerships with gambling entities across Buenos Aires, in adherence with the tender rules sanctioned by the Argentine Provinces Board for Lotteries and Casinos (IPLyC). 

Those that have submitted licence applications have not yet received an update from governing authorities regarding how and when the tender process will be settled. 

Fernando Garita, head of Business Development at Betcris for Latin America, told SBCNoticias: “We have not received a formal communication from the authorities, and we are still waiting for the provincial government to define the next step of the process.”

Betcris has confirmed that it has assessed its current market options, disclosing that it may pursue a ‘BA city licence’ issued by LOTBA – BA’s lottery regulating agency. 

LOTBA has previously stated that it may launch its own online gambling regulatory framework for BA’s city jurisdiction featuring no ‘licensee limitations or partnership requirements’. However, the agency has not presented formal provisions serving any form of mandate.

LOTBA’s actions should showcase to international incumbents what has become a syndrome of contradiction attached to BA political actors pursuing a regulated online gambling marketplace.

Juan Ignacio Juanena, founder of iGaming Latam Consulting, has emphasised that BA Governor María Eugenia Vidal has not yet authored a clear mandate when it comes to obtaining a gambling licence while campaigning for her re-election.

“The Province has seen Governor Vidal go out to the media emphasizing efforts to prevent gambling from growing in the province, something that has attracted the attention of operators and generates further uncertainty since it has been during her tenure that online gambling has been enabled, with the regulation process started,” Juanena explained to SBCNoticias.

Argentinian football Super League and the AFA has continued to campaign for the country’s clubs to receive a certain percentage of the funds generated from sports betting, which would be allocated towards the improvement of player contracts, labour obligations, and the implementation of compliance and integrity programs.

Oscar Tucker, vice president of the Banfield Athletic Club, stated: “It is not only an economic issue, but our claim is also part of the need to protect the integrity of Argentine football from match-fixing and corruption linked to betting. Like other first division clubs, we do not rule out taking any measures to ensure that our order is met.”