Buenos Aires senator proposes ‘Ley Lula’ to ban online betting
A Buenos Aires provincial senator has proposed repealing the province’s online betting licensing framework and banning online sports betting and casino games, while a separate bill seeks tighter controls rather than a ban.
Buenos Aires provincial senator Federico Fagioli has introduced a bill to prohibit online sports betting and casino games by repealing articles 146 to 173 of Law 15,079. Existing authorisations would end 30 calendar days after the law took effect, and new licences would be barred. Dubbed Ley Lula by Diputados Bonaerenses, it would cover provincial customers regardless of operator location.
Official lotteries, quiniela and draws run by the Provincial Institute of Lottery and Casinos would remain exempt, including expressly authorised electronic sales. Operators would stop accepting deposits at commencement and, within ten calendar days, prevent new games, remove advertising and block provincial users. Promotion, sponsorship and affiliate marketing would be banned, with the regulator able to seek blocking of offending online channels.
Fagioli’s justification cites continuous digital access and social media promotion as public health and consumer protection concerns, especially for children and adolescents, and would retain prevention policies under Law 15,131. A separate bill by deputies Facundo Tignanelli and Micaela Olivetto would tighten verification and advertising rules rather than abolish licensed online betting and has yet to secure committee support. Fagioli’s proposal has not been enacted.
