Resolution to protect online market & combat illegal gambling
The National Directorate of Lotteries and Quinielas issued resolution No. 016/2026, which imposes mandatory biometric verification for users and requires quiniela outlets to obtain Level 4 certification from the World Lottery Association (WLA) within 180 days.
After a 2025 marked by union consolidation with the creation of CUOASEC, Uruguay begins 2026 with a strong regulatory advance. The Ministry of Economy and Finance, through the National Directorate of Lotteries and Quinielas, has approved a new resolution that establishes strict guidelines for concessionaires of gambling and international online sports betting, in order to eradicate unauthorized offerings and protect vulnerable sectors.
The regulation, developed with the support of the Responsible Gaming, Prevention, and Gambling Addiction Working Group, seeks to modernize a market that is still awaiting a definitive framework law, but which already demands standards from countries with high oversight.
Enhanced authentication and biometrics
One of the pillars of resolution 016/2026 is access security. From now on, operators such as the Collective Cover Quiniela Outlets and Banquidur GIE must mandatorily implement identity verification systems for each new registration.
These "know your customer" (KYC) processes cannot be mere forms: enhanced authentication is required, either through in-person validation or advanced biometric systems, operated by service providers accredited by the Uruguayan State.
WLA Level 4 Requirement: The Gold Standard
In an ambitious move for the local industry, the resolution grants a 180-day period for quiniela outlets to obtain Responsible Gaming certification from the World Lottery Association (WLA) Level 4, the highest level of ethical and operational commitment recognized globally.
Additionally, platforms and mobile applications must immediately integrate:
- Direct and visible access to self-assessment and self-exclusion tools.
- Preventive information about gambling addiction and technical assistance hotlines.
- Clear messages about the prohibition of access to minors throughout all their commercial communication.
Shielding against minor access
The resolution is strict regarding child protection: any form of advertising or promotion aimed at minors is strictly prohibited, as is their access to the platforms. This measure is complemented by the obligation to include explicit warnings in every advertising piece, aligning Uruguay with the regulatory trends of Spain and the United Kingdom.
With these provisions, Uruguay seeks not only to cleanse its market of clandestine operators but also to prepare the ground for a robust, transparent digital industry aligned with the best international standards of social responsibility.
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