With the hopes that it will protect children from gambling harms, the chamber of deputies in Argentina has approved a bill to restrict online betting advertising.
The chamber passed the federal bill by 139 votes to 36, in a special session on November 27. Aside from this, there was also 59 abstentions from the vote in Argentina.
The bill will now go to the senate. This will take into account the view of stakeholders like the Argentinian football clubs before deciding whether to progress the bill more.
Article 8 of the bill bans the advertising, promotion, and sponsorship of online betting on all communication platforms. This includes digital platforms like social media, as well as outdoor spaces like public roads.
Furthermore, Article 8 restricts online operators from sponsoring sports teams or athletes. This also includes the use of the name of the company to identify sporting venues like stadiums or training centers. The bill also prohibits the promotion of online gambling on signage at such venues.
The bill would ban influencer advertising, along with testimonials from athletes, celebrities, public figures, or fictional characters.
Should the bill be effective, Welcome bonuses will be forbidden. In addition to this, operators would be mandated to require biometric facial identification from users that can reliably guarantee the impossibility of access by minors.
Nonetheless, Article 9 rules that advertising or promotion inside gambling halls, as well as authorized lottery sales location will still be allowed. Yet, such marketing must include a cautionary section. This includes the sentence “compulsive gambling is harmful to you and your family”.
Somewhat, with provinces responsible for gambling in their territories, Argentina has fragmented betting regulatory framework.
Nevertheless, the bill aims to protect children and adolescents from gambling harms. By introducing a more centralized framework for advertising regulation, this will be done.
