New Tax on Online Betting Prizes
The provincial government of Buenos Aires, led by Governor Axel Kicillof, announced on Monday a new 2% tax on prizes won through online betting platforms. The measure, formalized through resolution 1149/26, applies to the seven platforms licensed to operate in the province. Minister of Government Carlos Bianco explained in a press conference that the tax targets immediate-resolution games, such as virtual slots, where outcomes are known instantly.[S1][S2][S3]
The affected platforms are Bet63, Betano, Bettson, Betwarrior, BPlay, Sport.bet.ar, and Stake. These companies must submit weekly sworn declarations to verify the discount applied to prizes. The tax is based on the provincial Law 15079, enacted in late 2018 during the administration of María Eugenia Vidal, and was signed by the Institute of Lotteries and Casinos, presided over by Gonzalo Atanasof, last Tuesday.[S2][S3]
Revenue for Social Programs
Funds collected from this tax will be directed to the Fund for Social Inclusion Progress (FOPIS), which finances health, education, and social development programs. Bianco estimated that the province will receive between 35,000 and 40,000 million additional pesos monthly, based on current statistics. This new contribution is separate from existing obligations: platforms already pay a 15% tax on gross profits from online gambling and a 10% canon, part of which goes to municipalities.[S1][S2][S3]
Measures Against Gambling Addiction
The minister highlighted ongoing efforts to combat gambling addiction, noting that Buenos Aires was the first provincial jurisdiction to implement a biometric identification system for platform access, preventing minors from entering legal gambling sites. He also reported over 800 complaints against illegal gambling platforms, leading to the blocking of 537 illegal online betting sites in the latest action. Additionally, in partnership with Meta and the Argentine Chamber of Lotteries, Quinielas, and State Casinos, more than 100 influencers promoting illegal betting sites were reported.[S1][S2]
Prevention efforts include talks on ludopathy for over 6,000 people in theaters, clubs, and schools across the province. The government has also expanded care for compulsive gambling through the mental health network of the provincial Health Ministry. Attention to minors under 18 has been reinforced in the 10 prevention and assistance centers for ludopathy located in La Plata, Avellaneda, Morón, Bahía Blanca, Olavarría, Tandil, Necochea, Mar del Plata, and Vicente López.[S1][S2]
