Buenos Aires provincial senator Federico Fagioli has introduced a bill seeking to ban online betting, including slots, roulette, blackjack, poker, and sports betting. The initiative has been dubbed the “Lula Law,” referring to the iGaming ban imposed by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva late last month.
The bill seeks to repeal Chapter VIII of Online Gambling Regulation Law No. 15,079, thereby revoking licenses authorizing these activities and allowing only lotteries, quinielas and raffles, as well as the electronic sale of games that do not involve betting or cash prizes.
Specifically, Fagioli, a member of the Fuerza Patria party, is calling for a ban on sports bets placed before or during events; online casino games; bets on virtual events or games whose outcomes depend entirely or predominantly on chance; and any form of gambling that involves risking money in the expectation of receiving a prize or financial return.
Fagioli argued that the “immediate, permanent and geographically unrestricted access” offered by digital platforms requires a reassessment of the effectiveness of the current regulatory system for licensed operators in preventing gambling-related problem behaviors.
In the senator’s view, the debate is no longer limited to determining the conditions under which online betting should operate. It must also address whether certain forms of gambling are compatible with the protection of public health, which the provincial government is responsible for safeguarding.
Under the proposed “Lula Law,” affected operators would be prohibited from accepting new deposits, account top-ups or transfers intended for betting or participation in games banned under the legislation once it takes effect.
Furthermore, within 10 days of the law’s potential entry into force, operators would have to prevent users from starting new games or gaming sessions; remove all advertising, promotions, bonuses and sponsorships; and block access to gambling websites for users located in Buenos Aires province.
Within 30 days, operators would have to return the full available balance in each user’s gaming account and submit an individualized report to the Provincial Institute of Lotteries and Casinos detailing balances, pending bets, prizes and refunds.
The bill would also prohibit advertising, programming, promotion, marketing, sponsorship and any form of commercial communication that directly or indirectly encourages online betting, including influencer campaigns, affiliate marketing, bonuses and promotional codes.
Major bill in provincial Chamber of Deputies
Fagioli’s proposal adds to an online betting agenda that includes more than 22 bills in the Chamber of Deputies and at least three in the Senate. Last week, debate began on a unified bill in the lower chamber’s Committee on Gambling, Lotteries and the Prevention of Gambling Addiction.
However, none of the existing proposals call for a complete ban on online betting. During a press conference presenting the major bill, provincial deputy Facundo Tignanelli acknowledged that he personally supports prohibition but said a measure of that kind would require legislation at the national level.