Lula Law in Argentina: Senator Proposes Total Ban on Online Gambling

A regulatory earthquake is looming in the Province of Buenos Aires, potentially reshaping the entire South American iGaming landscape. Inspired by recent developments in neighboring Brazil, where President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva issued Provisional Measure No. 1,394/2026 on September 25 to outlaw fixed-odds betting, Argentine Senator Federico Fagioli is now pushing for a radical shift. His proposal, already dubbed the "Lula Law," aims to completely dismantle the province's current legal framework. The existing Chapter VIII of Provincial Law No. 15,079, which regulates online gambling, is to be repealed and replaced by a comprehensive ban.

The senator's argument centers on the changes brought about by the digital revolution. Fagioli warns that constant access via mobile devices has torn down the traditional barriers between individuals and gambling. While physical casinos once imposed spatial and temporal limits, today's ubiquitous connectivity presents significant challenges for player protection. The bill stipulates that only lotteries, quinielas, and state-authorized draws may remain, while casino games such as roulette, blackjack, and slots are to be removed entirely from the digital space.

Numbers and facts

Senator Fagioli's proposal is uncompromising in its demands. It calls not only for the cessation of gaming operations but also for a total reversal of existing business relationships. According to the plan, operators would be required to refund the entire amount in every gambler's account. Furthermore, the legislation mandates that individual reports be filed with the Provincial Institute of Lotteries and Casinos (IPyC). These reports must detail outstanding prizes, pending bets, and account balances. Regarding marketing, the Lula Law proposes a clean sweep: all advertising, promotions, bonuses, and sponsorships for online gambling in Buenos Aires Province would be prohibited. This includes both direct advertising and indirect promotions on social media.

"The expansion of platforms has changed the traditional characteristics of games of chance; the possibility of betting from any device connected to the internet has eliminated many of the material, spatial and temporal barriers that historically separated people from physical gambling establishments." - Federico Fagioli, Senator of Buenos Aires Province

Background

However, the project is highly controversial within Argentine politics. While Fagioli chooses a radical path, rival bills from lawmakers such as Facundo Tignanelli and Micaela Olivetto advocate for a regulatory approach focusing on stricter prevention measures rather than a full market exit. Tignanelli indicated that while he supports a ban in principle, he believes such a measure would require national-level legislation to be truly effective. Buenos Aires Province is currently deeply divided over whether the digital market should be tamed or eliminated. Argentina's regulatory patchwork, where each province sets its own rules, further complicates the technical enforcement of such bans.

Why it matters for German players

For players in Germany, this Argentine move has no immediate impact on daily life but serves as a cautionary example of international shifts in gambling regulation. In Germany, the market has been clearly regulated since the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021). Those wishing to play safely should only use platforms listed on the official whitelist of the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL). Unlike the radical ban plans in Argentina, Germany relies on a controlled market with strict limits. This includes a monthly deposit limit of 1,000 euros across all providers and a stake limit of 1 euro per spin on virtual slots. This data is monitored centrally via the LUGAS IT system to prevent addiction effectively. While Argentina debates a total ban, German regulation remains focused on channeling gaming into legal, safe avenues.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

German casinos with a GGL license can view such news as confirmation of the stability of the local system. While licensing models in South America are being questioned just a few years after their introduction, the German legal framework provides planning security for operators and protection for customers. A total ban, as proposed by Fagioli, often leads to players migrating to the unregulated black market. This is exactly what the GGL aims to prevent. Operators who adhere to strict German rules secure long-term user trust, while international uncertainties like those in Argentina highlight the value of a state-supervised, legal market.