Legislation

Argentina – National law on gaming makes progress in Argentina

A new gambling law which aims to prevent gambling addiction as well as other aspects related to the working of casinos and gaming halls in Argentina has received a favourable opinion from the Commission on Addiction Prevention and Control of Drug Trafficking in the House of Representatives.

The initiative, which all provinces in Argentina will have to adhere to if passed into law, condenses at least a dozen projects submitted by legislators from different political blocs in recent years. The bill also would create a National Register of Voluntary Self-Exclusion and would mean the removal of all cash machines from casinos and gambling halls.

The initiative must still be debated in both the committees of Social Action and Public Health and Finance. However Congressman Alejandro Abraham, who is leading the initiative for change, is hoping that the other two committees will review the new law jointly so that it is passed as soon as possible. In order to achieve consensus on the issue Abraham has agreed with the committee members to leave the issue of opening hours to the discretion of the provinces.

Vice President of the commission, Cornelia Schmidt-Liermann said that the aim of the project was to “prevent gambling addiction” and stressed that the aim of the new bill was not to ban gaming but instead sought to establish a regulatory framework for gaming nationwide.

The proposal would create a national self exclusion registry, would remove cash machines from casinos, prevent the use of credit cards and loyalty programs and establish a national helpline for gambling addiction. The new bill also seeks to raise public awareness of the issue, and would put in place training programs so that staff members would be able to help identify those who had become addicted to gambling. The new law would also prohibit the advertising of gaming without appropriate health warnings.