Buenos Aires Province mandates biometric identification for online gaming platforms

The Government of the Province of Buenos Aires announced that biometric identification and facial recognition will now be mandatory for all online gaming and sports betting platforms authorized to operate in the Argentine jurisdiction.

The announcement was made by Buenos Aires Minister of Government Carlos Bianco during a press conference. “We are seeking to prevent and address the important issue of problem gambling among minors,” he stated.

As a result, Bianco said that the seven platforms currently authorized in the Province of Buenos Aires “will be required to implement biometric identification systems and identity verification across all sites.”

Bianco noted that betting platforms will have a maximum of 60 days to implement and regularize these systems. He added that the measure “will prevent any unauthorized access using family members’ data,” as users will be required to “identify themselves and provide proof of life at the moment they log in.”

According to Bianco, the new requirement partially restricts the use of computers to access online betting sites, as the collection of biometric data is limited to devices equipped with a camera for facial recognition.

At another point in the conference, Bianco reported that 300 complaints against illegal betting sites were filed last week with specialized prosecutorial units, following actions taken by the Buenos Aires Province Institute of Lotteries and Casinos (IPLyC).

Additionally, the minister highlighted that the province has a mental health care network dedicated to assisting people with gambling addiction.

Advertising restrictions

Recently, Gonzalo Atanasof, president of IPLyC Buenos Aires, announced that work is underway on regulations to limit and organize advertising by platforms authorized to offer online gaming and sports betting in the province, with a particular focus on protecting minors.

Speaking with FM Cielo radio, Atanasof confirmed that the provincial government is advancing regulations aimed at establishing criteria to govern the presence of legal online gaming in the media and on social networks.

“One cannot say just anything; it cannot be said at any time; there must be time slots; this cannot be associated with messages of personal success,” Atanasof said, stressing the need for “stricter control over the sector’s commercial communications.”