In this article, we want to dish the dirt on the gambling scene in a country like Argentina. We’ll delve into the history of betting games, their legal standing, and even touch upon the best online casinos available for Argentine players. We’ll chat about what to keep in mind when picking a casino, as well as the bonuses Argentines can bag. We won’t forget to mention other forms of gambling, such as sports betting, state lotteries, and online poker. And of course, we’ll talk shop about the payment systems available in Argentina, including a special shout-out to cryptocurrencies and their legal status.
Best Online Casinos For Argentine People
Argentina is one of the world’s most advanced countries in terms of gambling legislation. Almost all forms of gambling are kosher here, and online casinos are no exception.
As a result, Argentineans have access to a full range of top-notch online casinos. We’re offering up a list of Argentina’s finest online casinos, and we’ll chat later about how we picked ’em out.
Gambling in Argentina has been a hot ticket for a long time, in many different forms. Such variety is due to a mix of many nationalities that occurred in the 18th century. The turning point was the end of the twentieth century, a time when a slew of laws were drafted to regulate the gambling market. There isn’t national legislation; each province makes its own local laws and sets the gaming rules.
On May 31, 1999, the Supreme Court of Argentina ruled that the only state gambling game is the lottery, leaving the regulation of all other forms to local governments. Gradually, the major provinces started working out their own laws:
Cordoba – the gambling law was passed in March 2000. It meant that gambling establishments completely went private, and slot machines were given the green light. Since then, the local company Entertainment and Tourism Company (CET) has opened more than 19 gaming halls, housing over 3,000 slot machines.
Santa Fe – the corresponding law regulating the gambling market was passed in December 2001. At present, the province has 3 large casinos: Rosario City Center, Casino Melincué, Casino de Santa Fe.
Buenos Aires – In Argentina’s largest province, there is its own constitution, which states in article 37 that the government has a monopoly on running gambling businesses. More than 60 gaming halls operate throughout the province, boasting over 22,000 slot machines.
Legality and regulation of gambling
Argentina has a multi-level gambling regulatory system. The following authorities are responsible for regulation:
Provincial government – as already mentioned, in each province the local authorities are responsible for the level of legality of gambling, as well as the percentage contributions to the treasury
The Association of Lotteries and Casinos of the Provinces of Argentina (ALEA) is the government organization in charge of the relevant gambling aspects
MINCETUR is the Ministry of Tourism responsible for slot machines and land-based casino operations
Financial Action Task Force (FATF) – an international group that prevents money laundering and terrorist financing
Ministry of Social Development (MDS) – responsible for regulating state lotteries and redistributing revenues for public use
As for online casinos, their activity is also legal. For the regulation and issuance of licenses is responsible for 2 organizations: Asociación de Loterías and Quinielas y Casinos Estatales de Argentina. Foreign online casinos are also popular in the country, the best of them work under local licenses, but some of them use international commissions such as MGA and Curacao.
Choosing the best online casinos in Argentina
Just as we promised, we’re here to spill the beans on what to look out for when picking an online casino in Argentina. First off, you should suss out the kind of license the casino holds, whether it’s got the nod from local commissions, or only international licenses. Then, it’s worth scoping out their bonus policy and player reviews. Finally, double-check that the casino offers payment systems that suit you and has a round-the-clock online support crew. We’ll delve deeper into each aspect shortly.
Legality and Safety
When we’re reviewing online casinos, we’re keeping our eyes peeled for the presence and validity of licenses. Not just any international license from the MGA, Curacao, or any other big gambling commission, but also a thumbs-up from the local provincial authorities. That’s because each province has its own body responsible for licensing online casinos.
User Feedback
Reading reviews is a biggie, it helps you get the real deal on how players feel about an online casino. You can do this on local websites and forums, like sloterman.com.ar or ArgentinaCasino.com, or on international platforms like Casino.guru, Gambletroll.
Bonuses & Promotions
Another important point is the bonus policy of online casinos. What bonuses are up for grabs for newbies, and what’s on offer for regular players. Check out if there are weekly reloads and special VIP systems. We run the rule over all of this when we review casinos, and we urge you to do the same.
Payment Systems
Since online casinos are fully legal in Argentina, you can make a deposit easily with a bank card. But not all players are keen on flashing their cards on different sites, so alternative methods come into play. At the best online casinos in Argentina, you’ll find various e-wallets, prepaid card services, and even cryptocurrencies.
Customer Service
These days, online casinos have reached the point where 24/7 online support is par for the course. But what sets a good casino apart from a middling one is simple – in a good one, the support service always speaks your language. For Argentine players, that’s not tricky since Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world.
Mobile Adaptation
And of course, we can’t forget about the adaptation of online casinos for mobile devices. We only select those casinos that are top-notch when it comes to mobile adaptation. This includes not just the overall casino interface and game adaptation, but also a handy window for depositing and withdrawing funds.
Bonuses and promotions for Argentine players
There ain’t no limitations on bonuses for Argentineans, so any punter can enjoy the full spectrum of perks. Among them, welcome bonuses for the new kids on the block, and regular rewards for the frequent flyers. Worth a special shout-out are various VIP programs, available to anyone who fancies it, and races and tournaments that the casino itself, as well as the providers within it, regularly host. Let’s go ahead and take a closer look at each bonus.
Welcome Bonus
The most common type of this bonus is various welcome packages, which include a deposit top-up, as well as a certain number of free spins. For instance, at the popular 1xSlots casino, you can bag a bonus up to 1500 euros, along with 150 free spins.
Regular Player Bonuses
Regular players can also look forward to sweet deals in the form of various deposit top-ups, and special events, like the “wheel of fortune”. At National Casino, you can grab up to 100 free spins every Monday, and every Friday, there’s a special reload bonus, adding 50% to your deposit amount, and another 100 free spins.
Races and Tournaments
Races and tournaments are regular events that run for a certain amount of time and allow you to pocket extra wins just for playing your favorite slots. At the well-known Parimatch casino, there’s a heap of different tournaments to enter.
Sports betting in Argentina
Sports betting is totally legal and a big hit in Argentina. The country’s got heaps of both brick-and-mortar spots and online bookies. They became a hot ticket back in the 1960s and hit their stride in the mid-2000s, with the boom of the internet.
There’s also a host of commissions in Argentina responsible for licensing bookies. This variety is down to local laws reigning supreme in each province. However, many online bookies are operating on a semi-legal basis, as they don’t have local licenses and operate from offshore jurisdictions. The government tried to take a stand against them in the 2010s but without success. Hence, international bookies like VBet, MelBet, Parimatch, have cornered the market in the country.
Let’s talk about sports in Argentina in general. It’s not just respected, but loved wholeheartedly. People participate in both individual sports to keep fit, and competitive ones. We’ve picked out the 5 most popular sports in Argentina:
Football is a no-brainer, topping the popularity charts. But this fame isn’t for nothing. Some of the world’s top-tier players, like Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona, are Argentines. Argentina is also one of the few nations that have snagged three prestigious awards: the World Cup, Confederations Cup, and the Olympic Gold Medal.
Rugby, out of the blue, has rapidly gained popularity. Argentina’s national team, Los Pumas, is a heavyweight on the global stage, regularly taking part in world championships and other high-profile tournaments, going toe-to-toe with the strongest teams.
Basketball didn’t catch on in Argentina until the 20th century. But a few events stirred up a wave of popularity for the sport. Key among these was Argentina’s national team triumphing over the US in the 2002 World Cup, and their Olympic gold win in Athens in 2004.
Tennis, one of the oldest sports with roots in the 19th century, hit a popularity boom in the 2000s as a string of Argentine players emerged as victors in the prestigious Grand Slam tournament and the team world championship. As a result, the sport stopped being associated with high status, attracting more and more people to the game.
Pato is a national sport that combines elements of basketball and polo, played on horseback. It’s a game people love to play both casually and professionally, usually happening on weekends.
Convenient payment systems
Argentine players have a wealth of ways to top up their online casino accounts. The country has a well-developed banking system and e-commerce infrastructure, which means a plethora of e-wallets. Cryptocurrency deposits are another option, as they’re speedy and don’t involve high costs. We’ll go over the five most popular methods in more detail next.
VISA/MasterCard
3 types of cards are popular in the country: purchase cards, credit cards and debit cards. In general, any of them can be used to fund your online casino account. The plus side of using a bank card will be the instant speed of replenishment and high level of convenience. The minus is a rather long withdrawal of funds (from an hour to 3 days) and the need to leave your bank details on the site.
Bank transfer
Is a well-known, but already somewhat outdated method of funding your online casino account. The pros include the absence of the need to enter your bank details and high limits. The disadvantages are quite a long time (from 2 to 5 days) and high fees in some banks.
Todo Pago
A handy Argentine service that lets you combine several cards from different banks. The service’s functionality is quite extensive: from transferring funds by phone number, using your phone’s contact book, to withdrawing funds at any ATM.
Mercado Pago Wallet
Is another popular e-wallet, using which you can easily make a deposit at an online casino. After creating an account, you will have 2 options: either get a MasterCard and use the account as a similar bank account, or install the appropriate application on your phone, from where any type of transfers are available, including to online casinos.
Cryptocurrencies
Due to their legal status, cryptocurrencies have become widespread in Argentina. As a consequence, buying or selling cryptocurrencies can be done quite easily, and so can making a deposit at an online casino. This is what many players take advantage of due to the fast transaction speed and low fees.
NOTIFY As already mentioned, cryptocurrencies are completely legal in Argentina. They can be bought, sold, stored and invested, as well as used for any transactions both inside and outside the country.
However, cryptocurrency is not recognized by the state as an official means of payment due to the fact that under the existing laws only those currencies issued by the Central Bank or its monetary enterprises fall under this category. As a result, it is unlikely that you can pay directly with it in a supermarket, but you can easily make a deposit to an online casino/bookmaker.
Popular gambling providers in Argentina
Argentina is home to a boatload of gaming providers, including both greenhorns and old hands. As a result, the gaming landscape in Argentina is packed with variety, making it a true gambler’s paradise. Here are a few standout providers who are really hitting the jackpot in Argentina:
Microgaming
This old-timer of the gaming world has developed over 550 online slots. They’re particularly known for their progressive jackpot slots. They’ve got a diverse array of jackpot types, each with its own set of rules. Plus, let’s not forget that Microgaming holds a Guinness World Record for the largest jackpot payout.
Playtech
A big name in Argentina, these guys don’t just make slots and table games, but also live dealer games. Over two decades, they’ve churned out more than 600 products. Their huge range of slots boasts top-notch game variety, which Argentinian players dig.
NetEnt
A Swedish outfit, recently absorbed into the mammoth Evolution Gaming. They’re famous for their emphasis on graphics and forward-thinking solutions in their slots. They’ve got a bunch of branded slots and have made a splash with their own games, like Gonzo’s Quest, which gamers can’t seem to get enough of.
Quickspin
They’re the new kids on the block, but they’ve quickly made a name for themselves. Spotting their games is a breeze – just look for an orange interface and top-tier graphics. If you see those, chances are you’re playing Quickspin.
Play’N’Go
A company that consistently ranks in the top three of the world’s most popular providers. Killer graphics, superb sound, and intriguing game mechanics – these are the reasons gamers worldwide, and especially in Argentina, can’t get enough of them. Throw in the potential for big wins, and this provider is a sure bet for any casino.
Land-based casinos in Argentina
Like most forms of gambling, brick and mortar casinos are completely legit in Argentina. The number and status of casinos vary by province, as do their ownership. In some provinces, they’re state-owned; in others, they’re privately owned. This difference also reflects in the tax structure. But one thing’s clear: there’s a wealth of top-tier casinos across all provinces. Let’s dive into a few of the crowd favorites.
Casino Buenos Aires – one of the country’s largest casinos, located in the Argentinian capital. This place offers more than 1,400 slot machines and over 120 tables for various table and card games. It also houses a world-class restaurant, a dedicated pastry shop, and a massive shopping center. High-rollers can enjoy a private VIP club and poker room. There are also transfer services from airports and a dedicated hotel. Regular patrons can get one of four club cards, each offering additional bonuses and privileges.
Casino Central – another major casino located in the small town of Mar del Plata on the Atlantic Ocean. The casino has practically a century of history, as it was laid out back in 1938 and opened just a year later. In 2007, the building was briefly closed and quickly reopened after a small restoration. In this institution there are more than 600 slot machines and more than 140 tables for playing card games such as blackjack, poker, baccarat, as well as various roulettes.
Lotteries and other gambling entertainment in Argentina
Argentina is chock-full of different lotteries, most of them run and regulated by the government. Each province has its own provider who pulls the strings according to local laws. The big hitters in the lottery game are:
Loto Tradicional – To get in on the action, you gotta pick 6 numbers from 0 to 41, and two bonus balls from 0 to 9. Depending on how many matches you get, you could snag one of the prizes. The big bucks are currently shown in the table.
Coincidence
Average number of winners
Win
6+2
1
707 111 386 $
6+1
1
49 033 428 $
6
1
17 934 266 $
5+2
4
500 000 $
5+1
40
130 000 $
5
58
50 000 $
Loto Desquite – Same deal from the same provider, the only twist is the number of bonus balls. Here you get one bonus ball instead of two. All other rules are pretty much the same. Main prizes are divided into 3 categories, the more matches, the bigger the payday.
Coincidence
Average number of winners
Win
6+1
1
49 033 428 $
6
1
17 934 266 $
Loto Sale o Sale – The simplest of the lotteries presented, where bonus balls are a no-show. Consequently, the odds of scoring a win are the highest, sitting at 1 in 124,899. Nail all 6 numbers and you could be looking at a windfall of more than 6 million bucks.
LOTO 5 – In this lottery, you have to correctly guess 5 numbers from 0 to 36. The odds of hitting the jackpot in this one are pretty good, around 1 in 11,781.
QUINI 6 Tradicional – Another six-number lottery variant where there are no bonus balls, which means your chances of hitting the jackpot are higher. The odds of striking it rich are 1 in 203,626, with the jackpot north of 50 million bucks.
Another popular way to get your gambling fix in Argentina is poker. Both brick-and-mortar and online poker are completely legit. For those who like the feel of physical chips, there’s a plethora of casinos and poker rooms. For those who prefer to play in their pajamas, the biggest online poker rooms, like PokerStars, GGPokerok, PartyPoker, 888Poker and others, are at your disposal.
Reliability and safety of online casinos in Argentina
With online casinos being totally above board, players don’t need to stress about fairness and square deals. Some of the big-name Argentine online casinos have local licenses granted by the provinces, as well as organizations like Quinielas y Casinos Estatales de Argentina. The rest prefer to play by offshore rules, holding only international licenses from the likes of MGA, Curacao and others.
In any case, if you find yourself in a pickle, there are plenty of places to turn. If it’s with a casino holding a local license, you can get in touch with the commission in person or via email. If your casino doesn’t hold a local license, you can always drop a line to the relevant international commission’s email. They should get back to you within a few weeks.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Argentina is one of the most advanced countries in terms of gambling legislation. With the beginning of the information technology age and the emergence of online casinos and poker rooms, the government was able to understand the trend and provide a noble ground for this activity.
As a consequence, it has benefited financially, receiving billions of dollars in taxes per year, as well as gaining acceptance from the local population and the global community, thus attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists.
Another positive aspect has been the government’s attitude towards cryptocurrencies, which has allowed many Argentine startups to conquer the international crypto space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any land-based casinos in Argentina?
There are several dozens of casinos of different levels in Argentina. From small establishments designed for local players to huge world-class “gambling palaces”.
Are online casinos legal in Argentina?
Online casinos are legal in Argentina and are regulated by the local authorities of each province. You can play both in Argentine casinos, which have a local license, and on large offshore sites.
What is the situation with sports betting in Argentina?
Betting on sports, as well as lotteries, are also legal in the country. Most of the bookmakers have appropriate local licenses, which allow them to accept bets both online and offline.
How does the government feel about cryptocurrencies?
The government has a generally positive attitude towards cryptocurrencies. It does not recognize them as digital currencies, but it does not prohibit buying/selling or conducting various transactions. And, more recently, it has been sponsoring cryptocurrency startups.
What are some convenient methods of deposit at online casinos in Argentina?
Using bank cards is the most frequent and easiest way to deposit at Argentina online casinos. The country has its own e-wallets, such as Todo Pago and Mercado Pago Wallet, and cryptocurrency deposits are also available.
23.01.2022 | Date updated: 17 July 2024
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