80% of online gambling in Buenos Aires operates on unregulated platforms
IPLyC asked provincial deputies for powers to dismantle foreign-based networks
Key Takeaways
- The Instituto Provincial de Lotería y Casinos (IPLyC) reported that 80% of online gambling in the Province of Buenos Aires occurs on unregulated platforms.
- Gonzalo Atanasof presented the figure on 23 October 2026 before the provincial Chamber of Deputies' Commission on Gambling in Sala 30.
- Authorised operators must apply strict identity checks, biometric verification, sworn declarations and data cross-checks with RENAPER to prevent underage participation.
- The IPLyC asked the provincial legislature for specialised legal and technical powers to identify and dismantle networks operating from abroad.
The Instituto Provincial de Lotería y Casinos (IPLyC) reported on 23 October 2026 that 80% of online gambling activity in the Province of Buenos Aires takes place on unregulated platforms. Gonzalo Atanasof, president of the IPLyC, presented that figure to the provincial Chamber of Deputies' Commission on Gambling and warned that many of those operators allow participation by minors.
Data presented to the Commission on Gambling
Atanasof set out the figure during the session in the chamber, identified as Sala 30, accompanied by institute directors Carlos Gallo (gaming and operations), Sebastián Silvestre (legal affairs) and Laura Spinelli (systems). The Commission on Gambling, Lotteries and Prevention of Gambling Addiction was chaired by Deputy Micaela Olivetto and attended by eleven legislators, including Diego Garciarena, Andrés De Leo and Fabián Luayza.
The IPLyC president attributed the growth of the underground market to four factors: the rapid expansion of digital platforms, hyperconnectivity, the economic crisis and changes in consumption habits. He also noted the difficulties provincial authorities face when operational centres are located in foreign jurisdictions.
“We are facing a complex crime, involving organisations that often operate from abroad and require specific tools to detect and dismantle them,” Atanasof told the committee.
Controls required of authorised operators
Atanasof contrasted the operation of illegal sites with the obligations of legitimate operators: strict identity verification, inclusion of biometric verification processes, sworn declarations and data cross-checks with the National Registry of Persons (RENAPER). The protection of children and adolescents was presented as a central reason to target unauthorised platforms. Operators’ verification duties were noted alongside regulated-casino standards [operators]( /casino).
The report also warned of tax losses and negative effects on employment in the land-based gaming sector linked to the migration of activity to unregulated operators.
Request for legal and technical tools
Because many illicit operators act from abroad, the IPLyC asked the provincial legislature to grant specialised powers and tools to identify and dismantle transnational networks; Atanasof expressed confidence in the deputies’ willingness to collaborate and to strengthen oversight [legislature]( /regulation).
“This meeting could be the start of a process to secure more tools and better results,” Atanasof concluded.
The presentation focused on the need to reinforce digital supervision and adapt enforcement mechanisms to an environment where most online gambling in the province operates outside the regulatory framework. By Miguel Sandoval, Corresponsal de regulación.
Frequently Asked Questions
What proportion of online gambling in the Province of Buenos Aires is illegal?
The IPLyC reported that 80% of all online gambling activity in the Province of Buenos Aires takes place on unregulated platforms, as presented to the Commission on Gambling on 23 October 2026.
Who presented the figure and where was it disclosed?
Gonzalo Atanasof, president of the IPLyC, presented the figure during a session of the Commission on Gambling of the provincial Chamber of Deputies held in Sala 30, accompanied by institute directors and eleven legislators.
What controls must authorised operators apply?
Authorised operators must perform strict identity verification including biometric checks, require sworn declarations and cross-check data with the National Registry of Persons (RENAPER), according to Atanasof.
Tags
About the author
Miguel Sandoval
Regulatory Affairs Correspondent
Miguel Sandoval tracks gambling legislation, licensing, and regulator enforcement — from Spain's DGOJ and the Latin American authorities to the UKGC, the MGA, and the state-by-state map in North America. The reports answer three questions precisely — what changed, where, and who it affects — with jurisdictions, dates, and penalties cited exactly as published. Operators and compliance officers read Miguel Sandoval to know which rulebook moved before their next meeting.
More from Miguel Sandoval
