William Hill and Argenbingo have just announced that they have been granted a license to provide online gaming services in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The South American country is the eleventh regulated market in which William Hill now operates, highlighting the current expansion strategy of the English igaming operator.
The joint venture between Argenbingo, an Argentinian Bingo company, and William Hill was one of seven that successfully applied for a license to operate in the province. After a lengthy and rigorous vetting procedure, William Hill and Argenbingo obtained the highest rating from the local government, giving them a license to offer online gaming and real money wagering in Buenos Ares.
Is Igaming Legal in Argentina?
South America is considered something of a sleeping giant by igaming operators. The continent has a huge population which, when combined with the rest of Latin America, totals more than 600 million people. Different countries across the continent have different rules, much like in North America and Europe, but in Argentina, the laws are made by individual provinces.
In total, there are 23 provinces that make up the country, and with no federal law against gambling, each province is free to make its own rules. Most provinces have fairly relaxed laws with regards to gambling, including horse racing, lotteries and bingo. Fans can also play at casinos and bingo halls, which double as slot parlors. In spite of this, there are still restrictions against sports betting, and no sports betting operators have received a license in the country so far.
An online sportsbook did open up in Argentina back in 2006, but it was forced to close due to legal issues. For now, Argentinian sports betting fans need to sign up to offshore sites to place bets on their favorite sports. Although these are technically a grey area legally, online bettors have never been prosecuted in Argentina.
Ulrik Bengtsson, Chief Executive of William Hill PLC, said:
“We are delighted our joint-venture with Argenbingo has received a license to operate in the province of Buenos Aires. I am also proud to confirm that our application received the highest rating of all applicants for a license in the region. The new venture in Argentina is an exciting opportunity for us, and we are looking forward to providing a best in class service to the people of Buenos Aires.”
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