Argentina mulls creation of a national gambling regulator

Argentina’s provinces, like individual states in the USA, jealously regard their constitutional right to make laws governing activities within their borders, and this may be challenged in the near future.

The reason is that there are indications that the federal government may be considering the formation of a national gambling regulator. This information came to light earlier this month when a close confidante and advisor to national President, Mauricio Macri let the cat out of the bag in an interview with the local newspaper Perfil.

The adviser, named as Fabián “Pepín” Rodríguez Simón, opined that national government should create a federal gambling regulator or agency with powers over all gambling, including online activity.

The idea attracted criticism from Alfredo Monaco, the head of Argentina’s provincial gaming regulators association (ALEA), who on Monday this week posted a warning on the association’s website that such a move by federal lawmakers runs the risk of violating the national constitution regarding the autonomy of the provinces.

No official statements have been made since the ALEA warning, but the line appears to have been drawn.