Buenos Aires justice blocks 537 illegal betting sites
The Justice Department of the province of Buenos Aires ordered the blocking of 537 illegal online gambling websites, in the largest operation of its kind carried out to date in Buenos Aires territory. The measure is part of an investigation into alleged illegal exploitation of gambling and reinforces the joint strategy between the provincial regulator, the Justice Department, and the private sector to combat clandestine offerings.
The resolution was issued within the framework of a case being handled by the Specialized Cybercrime Prosecutor's Office of the San Isidro Judicial Department, led by prosecutor Patricio Ferrari, for an alleged violation of article 301 bis of the Penal Code, which punishes the illegal exploitation of gambling in both physical and digital environments. The investigation began with evidentiary proceedings promoted by the Argentine Chamber of Casino, Bingo, and Annexes Halls, which provided information on platforms offering online games and sports betting without authorization to operate in the province.
According to the investigation, the 537 blocked sites operated completely outside the regulatory system, without the technical certifications required to guarantee the transparency of the games or the randomness of the results. They also lacked adequate identity verification mechanisms, which facilitated access for minors. Authorities also detected other relevant irregularities for player protection, such as the absence of guarantees regarding the security of deposited funds and personal data, and difficulties in withdrawing prizes or winnings.
The president of the Provincial Institute of Lottery and Casinos of Buenos Aires, Gonzalo Atanasof, highlighted the coordinated work with the Justice Department and stated that each blocked illegal site is one less access point to a clandestine circuit that does not protect players, does not verify the identity of those who enter, and allows access to minors. Ferrari, for his part, emphasized that cooperation between public and private bodies is key to confronting the growth of illegal online gambling and especially protecting children and adolescents from the risks of these platforms.
The investigation also revealed new modalities used by the organizations behind these sites, including the recruitment of adolescents and young people to act as cashiers or intermediaries for operations in exchange for small commissions, adding them to the operational structures of the illegal platforms. The blocking was implemented through current protocols with the intervention of the National Communications Entity, which technically coordinates the measure together with internet providers to prevent access to the involved domains. The Prosecutor's Office warned that blocking pages is a dynamic tool, as operators often create new domains to replace deactivated ones, so investigations will continue to identify those responsible and advance in dismantling the illegal offering.
Tags: Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Cybercrimes San Isidro, Patricio Ferrari, Gonzalo Atanasof, Article 301 bis of the Penal Code