Argentina: Gaming union supports changes on football betting system

Through a press release signed by the secretary of the trade union, Ariel Fassione, the entity rejected the critics of a business sector to possible changes, and reminded that “Prode entered into decline despite the efforts made at that moment, and it currently has a
minimal market share, compared to other games or even with illegal gaming.”

"That’s why, from Aleara, we consider that the renovation of the system and the start of a better Prode would open the doors to new employments, beyond the fact that the main aim is to generate resources for football clubs,” added the trade union.

Then, it showed that the current law “allows new modalities in sports prognosis, and pointed that, despite the efforts performed by the state and the trade union, “the truth is that people bet in Internet and foreign companies, with no benefits for the country and the people involved, and with no control neither on the resouces collected nor in its origin.

Last week, AFA president, Julio Grondona, had proposed Prode as a "solution" to finance the billionaire debts of the clubs, that threaten to suspend professional football. Grondona asked for modifications to the current Prode system, which, in case there are authorized by the national government, would be, in his view, a “solution” for clubs.

"If there were modifications to PRODE system, we would find a beneficial short-term solution for everyone. The solution would be total," indicated AFA head so far.

New football wagering requested is a betting system by phone or Internet, with immediate rewards. Sources close to AFA indicated that, to implement this type of plan, the State must decide who manages it: if National Lottery or AFA, or if AFA calls to a tender process. With traditional Prode, AFA has less of 11 % of the bets. With the new one, the porcentaje could be much larger.