Argentina casinos and online gambling are regulated by each province, not by the national government. Land-based casinos, slot halls, bingo halls and racetracks are licensed province by province, and online casinos and sportsbooks are legal only when licensed by the province or city where the player is. The two biggest online markets are the Province of Buenos Aires and the City of Buenos Aires, which are separate jurisdictions with separate licences.
Argentina gambling at a glance
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| Who regulates gambling | Each province, plus the City of Buenos Aires |
| National online gambling law | None. A national bill on gambling addiction and advertising passed the Chamber of Deputies in November 2024 but has had no Senate vote |
| Province of Buenos Aires | Law 15.079 (2019); regulator: Instituto Provincial de Lotería y Casinos (IPLyC); up to seven online licences of 15 years each |
| City of Buenos Aires | Regulator: Lotería de la Ciudad (LOTBA); online gaming regulated since 2021; 11 licensed operators; closed to new licences since 2024 |
| How to spot a legal site | Province: a .bet.ar domain with the IPLyC logo and licence number. City: the LOTBA logo |
| Best-known gaming venue | Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, Buenos Aires (racing and slots) |
| Last checked | November 2026 |
How gambling law works in Argentina
Argentina has no federal online gambling law and no national gaming regulator. Each province writes its own rules, licenses its own casinos and operators, and keeps the tax revenue. That is why a site can be legal in one part of the country and unlicensed in the next, and why the same brand often runs separate versions for different jurisdictions.
The national government’s role is mostly limited to advertising rules. A 2025 resolution tightened national advertising standards, requiring visible warnings on gambling ads and setting obligations for content creators who promote betting platforms.
A national bill on preventing gambling addiction, introduced by deputy Maximiliano Ferraro, passed the Chamber of Deputies in November 2024. Senate committees have debated it since 2025 without a final vote, and the national government sent the Senate a separate bill in May 2026. As drafted, it would bring a broad ban on gambling advertising, a ban on sponsorship of sports teams and events, and tighter limits on influencer and affiliate marketing, especially where minors could see it. It could still be amended before any final vote.
Online gambling in the Province of Buenos Aires
The Province of Buenos Aires regulates online gaming under Law 15.079 of 2019. The Instituto Provincial de Lotería y Casinos (IPLyC) is the only licensing and enforcement authority, and it awarded the first online licences in December 2020. The rules allow up to seven licences, each for 15 years with no extension.
International operators must partner with a local Argentine company. Licensed brands include Betsson, with Casino de Victoria; bet365, with Bingo Berazategui; Bplay, from Boldt and 888; and BetWarrior, with Binbaires and Intralot. Legal sites use a .bet.ar domain and show the IPLyC logo and their licence number.
Online gambling in the City of Buenos Aires
The City of Buenos Aires is a separate jurisdiction. Its regulator is the Lotería de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires (LOTBA), which began licensing online gaming in 2021. Unlike the province, the city set no cap on licences and did not require a local partner. Eleven operators hold active city licences, and the city stopped taking applications in 2024, so the market is closed to new entrants for now. Legal city sites show the LOTBA logo.
An account opened under a province licence and one opened under a city licence are separate, even with the same operator and the same ID number. Balances cannot be moved between them.
Sites without an Argentine licence
An online casino or sportsbook with no licence from the player’s province or city is not legal in Argentina, even if it holds a licence from Malta, Curaçao or elsewhere. Players at those sites have no Argentine regulator to turn to if a withdrawal is refused or an account is closed. If you play online in Argentina, check for the regulator’s logo and licence details before you deposit.
Bonuses at licensed sites follow local advertising and promotion rules. Our guide to casino promotions and bonuses explains how wagering requirements and other terms work.
Land-based casinos and racetracks
Each province licenses its own casinos, slot halls, bingo halls and racetracks, so the number and type of venues varies widely across the country. Buenos Aires and the larger provincial cities have the biggest choice, from casino floors with table games, poker and hundreds of slot machines to small slot halls in provincial towns.
The best-known venue is the Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo in Buenos Aires, a racetrack that opened in 1876 and also runs slot halls. It celebrated its 150th anniversary in May 2026 with a brand relaunch and an expansion plan, and IGT opened a new slot room there in March 2026.
Buenos Aires also has the floating Casino de Buenos Aires, moored at Puerto Madero. Its concession expired in 2019, and in March 2025 Argentina’s Supreme Court overturned the extensions that had kept it running. Reports in 2026 said the city lottery was preparing a new tender to run it, and union disputes have interrupted service, so check that it is open before you plan a visit.
US readers who want to compare with casinos at home can see our guides to Connecticut, Florida, New York or Oklahoma.
Learn the games before you play
Argentine casinos mainly offer slots, roulette, blackjack, baccarat and poker. If you plan to play, our guides cover Pai Gow poker, Caribbean Stud poker, Let It Ride and other casino games. For casinos in another Spanish-speaking country, see our Spain guide.
Argentina casinos FAQ
Is online gambling legal in Argentina?
Yes, but only on sites licensed by the player’s own province or by the City of Buenos Aires. There is no national online licence.
Who regulates gambling in Argentina?
Each province has its own regulator. In the Province of Buenos Aires it is the IPLyC, and in the City of Buenos Aires it is LOTBA.
How can I tell if a site is licensed in Buenos Aires?
Province-licensed sites use a .bet.ar domain and show the IPLyC logo and a licence number. City-licensed sites show the LOTBA logo.
Is there a national gambling law on the way?
A national bill on gambling addiction and advertising passed the Chamber of Deputies in November 2024 but has not had a Senate vote, and the government sent the Senate a separate bill in May 2026. Neither would replace provincial licensing.
Gambling help in Argentina
In the Province of Buenos Aires, the IPLyC’s problem gambling program answers on 0800-999-5246. In the City of Buenos Aires, LOTBA’s line is 0800-666-6006. In the US, call or text the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET.