News sources in Argentina have suggested that a “diverse cast” of both national and international operators have been battling it out to secure one of the seven Buenos Aires province online gambling licenses.
The province’s executive closed its ‘window of submissions’, for operators seeking to apply for one of the online gambling licences. Seven licences have been made available under the country’s legislative code for online gambling, with the Buenos Aires provincial code ratified by Governor Maria Eugenia Vidal’s ‘2019 Budget Law’.
Online gambling across the province will be overseen by ‘IPLyC’ – the Argentine Provinces Board for Lotteries and Casinos, with licensed operators allowed to service online sportsbook, casino, poker and horseracing provisions
The IPLyC has stated that while international operators will be permitted to enter the market, all foreign incumbents must maintain a ‘physical business presence’ within Buenos Aires province.
Argentine news source La Politica Online have since reported the formation of ‘new alliances’ being formed between established Argentinian gambling operators and European suitors.
Despite recently reporting Argentinian market losses of €22 million during the course of 2018, Spanish gambling group Codere SA is reported to be committed to joining the Buenos Aires online gambling scene – rumoured to be forging new alliances with both UK and Israeli partners.
Most intriguing for South American observers, Daniel Angelici President of Boca Juniors, Argentina’s most popular football club, is reported to have ‘approached PokerStars’ – with regards to forming a digital partnership.
Boca Juniors President is reported to be seeking a gaming partner, despite IPLyC and Governor Vidal reaffirming that the Buenos Aires framework not allowing sports clubs to participate in gambling partnerships, a directive which both the Superliga Clubs and the Argentine FA (AFA) have stated will be challenged.
