A major crackdown on illegal casino platforms and the social media influencers who promote them is underway in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The Spanish-language media outlet Infobae reported that Buenos Aires City courts have ordered IP providers to block residents’ access to over 330 illegal online gambling platforms since September last year.
The operation is a collaborative effort involving a special Buenos Aires prosecution service-run gambling unit and the City of Buenos Aires lottery, the city’s sole gambling regulator.
In September last year, courts blocked an initial 237 websites. In late March, they followed up with over 70 new blocking orders.
Buenos Aires Crackdown Gathers Pace
Jesús Acevedo, the lottery’s President, said: “We are the only body that can grant companies the legal right to operate gambling platforms in Buenos Aires. Our crackdown is part of an awareness-raising drive. We consistently strive to encourage responsible gaming and prevent childhood gambling addiction.”
Courts have suspended over 1,600 social media profiles and advertisements during the crackdown.
And they have charged 48 celebrities and influencers with offenses related to promoting illegal gambling sites on social media pages.
The Judicial Investigation Corps of the Buenos Aires Public Prosecutor’s Office decided to act following a complaint from the Argentine Chamber of Casino, Bingo, and Annex Halls (CASCBA).
The CASCBA is a civic body that comprises the nation’s regulated casinos and slot machine centers.
Industry insiders called the crackdown a “significant intervention.” They said it would help restrict access to a range of “prohibited services.”
Recent Legal Change Opens Door to Action
Officials say they are acting within the framework of laws launched in July 2024. These laws allow them to intervene when they see evidence of sites targeting young people. The city says there has been a significant increase in gambling among minors.
In mid-2024, CASCBA reported 18 influencers to the Buenos Aires prosecution service, accusing them of promoting illegal online gambling services.
The group’s lawyers said that CASCBA was doing all in its power to assist public authorities in their bid to eradicate sites that target minors.
La Nacion reported that the claim alleged that influencers, including the singer Flor Vigna and Sports journalist Flavio Azzaro, had promoted these services.
Vigna had over five million Instagram followers at the time, while Azzaro’s YouTube page had over 500,000 subscribers.
CASCBA’s legal team wrote that the influencers were “primary accomplices” and “intermediaries” who connect players with illegal platforms.
Elsewhere in Latin America, the Brazilian government has recently added more esports and online gaming titles to its list of sports on which its residents can place bets.
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