Sixteen influencers agree to film spots about illegal gambling
The same faces that promoted unlicensed virtual casinos will now appear warning about their risks. Sixteen influencers and public figures signed a reparation agreement before the Buenos Aires City Justice system, obliging them to feature in awareness messages about illegal gambling.
The agreement was reached before the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Gambling (FEJA), in cases processed under article 301 bis of the Penal Code, which penalizes the operation of unauthorized gambling. The defendants had promoted virtual casino platforms on their social media.
The compensation has two parts. In addition to recording the videos, each person must undergo training provided by the Buenos Aires City Lottery (LOTBA) on problem gambling and illegal offerings, as LOTBA is the body that grants licenses in the district.
The Buenos Aires City Public Prosecutor's Office set an explicit limit on its generosity. The offer is a one-time deal: if any of those involved reoffend, FEJA is authorized to resume the criminal case. And it warned that, if that happens, the case could escalate to their assets, with precautionary measures affecting goods, money, or real estate.
Among those who signed are Martin Duella, Carlos Molinelli, Candela Jáuregui, Milagros Ximena Curcio, Julián Ángel Diodati, Antonella Belén Verna, Facundo Alessandri, Facundo Argibay, Matías Castillo, Flavio Azzaro, Sofía Fernández, Octavio Juan Appo, Adabel Guerrero, Magalí Seggio and Jorge Ismael Barrionuevo.
The case is just a portion of a much larger operation. The prosecutor's office has more than 100 ongoing cases involving influencers, streamers, and entertainment figures investigated for promoting platforms that operate without permission and without any of the controls that apply to a licensee. Furthermore, it has already ordered the blocking of more than 400 addresses linked to illegal betting.
In the Buenos Aires City district, online gambling can only be offered with a LOTBA license, and social media promotion is one of the main channels through which unauthorized platforms reach the public, particularly younger audiences. For months, FEJA has been combining two approaches: the technical blocking of sites and the prosecution of those who lend them an audience.
Tags: Specialized Gambling Prosecutor's Office, promotion of illegal gambling, Buenos Aires City Lottery, damage compensation