CABA Authorities Block Seven Illegal Online Betting Platforms

Seven online betting platforms have been blocked by Argentina’s Public Prosecutor’s Office of the City of Buenos Aires after it was allegedly not authorized to operate in the city. The action was taken by the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Gambling (FEJA), which is conducting continuous investigations on illegal gambling.

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The platforms lacked age restrictions, verification of users, and enough safety measures to protect them, said FEJA, led by prosecutor Juan Rozas. Investigators also discovered several sites with names that looked like those of authorized operators, but in a malicious effort to lure users in before they were redirected to illegal websites.

It came in response to complaints filed by the Argentine Chamber of Casinos, Bingos and Related Gambling Halls and the Buenos Aires City Lottery (LOTBA). Investigative work was carried out by the Judicial Investigations Corps of the CABA Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Court Orders Authorize Domain Blocking

The case was filed under the Argentine Criminal Code’s so-called “gambling laundering” article 301 bis, which penalizes the running, administration and organization of games without the necessary legal permits.

Blocking was permitted by the Criminal Courts No. 4, No. 21 and No. 19, the Contravention Courts and the Misdemeanor Courts. Judges María Julia Correa, Paula Núñez Gelves and Agustín Riggi preside over the courts, which are all located in the city.

This action comes in the context of the increasing attention paid by the CABA authorities to sites operating beyond regulated gambling activities. As well as attacking the platforms, FEJA has also gone after individuals and businesses which promote illegal gambling sites.

FEJA Reaches Agreements With 16 Influencers

The enforcement campaign has also expanded to social media ads. Toward the end of September, FEJA concluded deals with 16 Argentine influencers that had been criminally indicted by the CABA Public Prosecutor’s Office for the promotion of illegal online casinos on their social media.

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The deals involved influencers having to promote an awareness video outlining the dangers of online betting without regulation through their image and social media accounts. The group comprised dancer Adabel Guerrero, sports journalist Flavio Azzaro and 14 other influencers.

The campaign message emphasized the absence of safeguards on illegal platforms and warned that minors could access them. The statement said: “Right now, there are minors betting on illegal sites. The problem with these pages is that they have no controls or filters, and what starts as a game can end badly. They steal your money and your personal data.”

Campaign Promotes Legal Betting Channels

It also encouraged users to visit LOTBA’s responsible gambling programs, such as educational activities aimed at increasing gambling awareness. The influencers were asked to dissuade the use of unauthorized platforms and discourage their promotion or dissemination.

The campaign ended with the message: “Remember, if it does not end in .bet.ar, it is illegal. Do not promote it, do not spread it.” The .bet.ar domain is a straightforward method to differentiate online gambling platforms that are part of the legal online betting framework in Argentina.

The fact that the domain was blocked and action taken against illegal advertising has captured the attention of the media, reflecting the broader enforcement action in Buenos Aires. Platforms offering illegal gambling services and the promotional networks that can funnel players to said platforms are under attack.

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Source: SBC Noticias