President Javier Milei’s government has sent to Argentina’s Senate a new “anti-gambling addiction” bill that would ban minors from accessing online betting platforms, but still allow advertising for gambling services.
The proposal runs counter to the anti-gambling bill approved by the Chamber of Deputies in November 2024, which remains in force. Under current legislative procedure, senators from the ruling La Libertad Avanza coalition would need to amend that initiative and send it back to the lower house for debate and an eventual vote.
The original 2024 bill passed the Chamber of Deputies with 139 votes in favour from Peronism, Encuentro Federal, the Left, Innovación Federal, Democracia para Siempre and Independencia blocs, against 36 votes from La Libertad Avanza, while the PRO, UCR and MID abstained.
The Senate discussed the proposal in committee in September 2025, but no ruling was ever issued despite Peronism holding 34 seats, due to internal disagreements within the opposition over the version approved by deputies.
The new bill will now be analysed by the Senate’s General Legislation, Health, and Justice and Criminal Affairs committees, chaired by government senators Nadia Márquez, Ivanna Arrascaeta and Gonzalo Guzmán Coraita.
One of the most controversial aspects of the government’s proposal is that it would permit advertising by betting companies, casinos and bingo halls – a measure opposed by lawmakers who backed the original lower-house bill.
The government says it wants to eradicate unauthorised online gambling operations, as well as their advertising, promotion and dissemination.
Minors would be banned from accessing or using online gambling platforms and authorities would be required to raise public awareness about the harmful effects of pathological gambling.
The State will also be required to compile statistics and epidemiological data to monitor prevention, assistance and rehabilitation policies, and to identify vulnerable groups affected by gambling addiction.
On advertising, the Milei government’s proposal bans advertising, sponsorship and promotion of unauthorised online gambling operators, whether direct or indirect, across all forms of media and communication.
Gambling advertising, however, would be allowed under certain conditions, though with a ban on content directly aimed at minors.
– TIMES/NA
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