The Specialized Prosecutor Unit for the Investigation of Cybercrime (UFEIC) of San Isidro, led by prosecutor Alejandro Musso, has ordered the blocking of 110 websites offering unauthorized casino games and bets, along with the seizure of ARS 250 million ($275,000).
This action was based on information provided by the Cyber Patrol Division of the Argentine Federal Police (PFA).
Prosecutor Musso requested Judge Esteban Rossignoli of San Isidro to block the online platforms under investigation through the National Communications Agency (Enacom). The judge granted this request, leading to the cancellation of these sites, as reported by La Nación newspaper. Judicial sources consulted by La Nación indicated that this measure to block 110 sites is unprecedented in Argentina.
Prosecutor Musso in the report submitted to Judge Rossignoli stated:
None of the sites have any filters to prevent minors from accessing them. They allow unrestricted play without identifying users, demonstrating a complete disregard by the organizers of illegal gambling. In the same way, there is an unfair competition with legal sites that pay taxes, are duly registered, and generate legitimate jobs, as opposed to those that do not comply with any of these goals.
Regarding the investigation led by Musso and UFEIC secretary Alejandro Orlandini, cyber patrol tasks revealed a user on Instagram using hashtags such as #casino, #casinovirtual, #juegosonline, #apuestasonline, #casinoonline, and #slots to promote online games, presumably without the necessary authorization.
Police detectives from the PFA’s Cyber Patrol Division also identified other online gambling and betting websites that might be operating without meeting legal requirements.
Upon consultation with the Association of State Lotteries, Quinielas, and Casinos of Argentina (ALEA), it was confirmed that the 110 sites under investigation did not have the necessary license or authorization to operate in Argentina, as they lacked the “.bet.ar” extension.
Musso stated in his report:
A separate issue is the reliability of manipulated chance. In physical games of chance, such as in a casino, chance is governed by established laws. In the digital world, however, it relies entirely on the algorithms with which the games are designed. Legal companies have international certifications that verify the randomness of digital play. In the case of these illegal casinos, such verification does not exist. The algorithms are managed by the criminals themselves, eager to win more. Neither the State, individuals, nor any control body verifies the manipulation of these algorithms, which always ensure ‘the house wins,’ clearly to the detriment of the gamblers, who are now also being swindled.
To illustrate the money flow from these illegal websites, judicial sources explained to La Nación that one of the bookmakers under investigation had an income of ARS 2,500 million (more than $2.7 million) from January to date.
Prosecutor Musso said:
This measure is not just about economic losses due to the lack of state taxation. The importance lies primarily in the lack of state control, which is contributing to the creation of underage gambling addicts.
