LOTBA Expands Training Program for Individuals Charged With Illegal Gambling in Buenos Aires
The Lotería de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires (LOTBA) implemented a series of training workshops targeted at people prosecuted under Article 301 bis of the Criminal Code of Argentina, the article dedicated to gambling-related crimes. The training is being held following probation agreements reached with FEJA, the specialized prosecutor’s office for the prosecution of illegal gambling activities. The agreement has been signed by Juan Rozas and implemented in coordination with LOTBA Legal Secretariat managed by Rodrigo Branca.
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Ezequiel Domínguez, together with representatives from LOTBA Gaming conducted the training. As the regulator states, these meetings took place as part of behavioral requirements agreed with prosecutors in suspended trials concerning violations committed by individuals who were prosecuted due to illegal gambling.
In the training sessions, people received information about the criminal, economic, and social consequences of illegal gambling operations as well as about regulatory measures, controls, and protections used in licensed gambling industry of Buenos Aires.
The emphasis on Prevention, Awareness and User Protection
As LOTBA states, the project is part of its overall prevention and enforcement strategy aimed at putting an end to illegal gambling activities operated outside the jurisdiction of the country.
As mentioned above, the regulator has become more active in dealing with criminal aspects of online gambling operations. In particular, it has started organizing awareness raising and remedial actions in collaboration with the judiciary bodies.
According to LOTBA, the training sessions are intended not only to fulfill judicial requirements but also to raise awareness about the importance of working in a legal, safe and responsible environment.
Talking about the initiative in the interview, Ezequiel Domínguez stressed that the sessions perform two roles: “On one side, they are part of the judicial process, and on the other side, they generate awareness about the implications of illegal gambling and about the importance of operating in regulated environments.”
Training Sessions are Integral Element of Strategy Against Unregulated Operators
According to Domínguez, the educational sessions have become a part of the bigger LOTBA initiative, including cooperation with the judiciary body in dealing with criminal aspects of the activity.
In particular, the training programs are being held as a part of probation agreements, which include certain behavioral restrictions imposed on defendants by prosecutors.
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“This is not merely an educational activity, these are concrete instruments of an overall policy aimed at prevention, control, and coordination with the judiciary“, said Ezequiel Domínguez.
Recently, LOTBA has stepped up its actions against the unregulated operators with its blocking initiatives, complaint submissions, and responsible gaming awareness campaigns. As per the regulators’ statements, illegal operators pose a high risk for customers since they work outside of official regulation and consumer protection systems.
DOMINGUEZ: LOTBA Stresses Dangers of Illegal Operators
Speaking about the threat posed by illegal operators, Ezequiel Domínguez stressed that the major problem with these operators is their total neglect of basic consumer protection standards.
“There is a total lack of controls and minimum consumer protection measures on such websites“, the expert explained. LOTBA claims that, usually, unregulated gambling operators do not use customer verification tools as well as measures protecting minors and preventing excessive gambling.
Moreover, according to Ezequiel Domínguez, the lack of regulation poses additional threats related to data protection: “Since there are no regulations or controls, there are no guarantees of transparency of the site or protection of personal data and customer money.”
Awareness Among Customers Becomes Part of Strategy for LOTBA
Emphasizing the importance of consumer awareness, LOTBA believes that the whole discussion of illegal gambling should focus not only on the legal issues but also on other problems related to consumer protection and the safety of operations.
“I think the key message here is that responsible gambling is not only legal but also safe and secure“, said Ezequiel Domínguez.
Source: SBC Noticias
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