After Judicial Investigation, 251 Illegal Betting Sites Blocked

In a significant crackdown on illicit online gambling, Argentine authorities, acting on a judicial order, have successfully blocked 251 illegal betting websites. This decisive action, spearheaded by the Specialized Unit for Cybercrime Investigations (Ufeic) of the San Isidro Judicial Department, responds to a complaint filed by the Argentine Chamber of Casino Rooms, Bingos, and Annexes (Cascba). The investigation uncovered a disturbing pattern: these unregulated platforms often failed to provide certified games, and more critically, made it nearly impossible for users to claim any winnings, effectively defrauding players.

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Se destaca que esos sitios no se encontraban certificados para operar con el ‘azar’ que debe regir los mismos, puestos que, conforme fue analizado en esa investigación y otras conexas, en los sitios ilegales la mayoría de las personas pierden el dinero apostado apareciendo la imposibilidad casi absoluta del cobro de las consecuentes ‘ganancias’ sin verificación alguna de la identidad y edad de los jugadores, viabilizándose la entrada en esos sitios de menores de edad que ingresan tempranamente al mundo de las apuestas con el consecuente perjuicio que les genera.

The judicial sources emphasized that these illegal sites were not certified to operate with the "randomness" that should govern them. Investigations revealed that the majority of users lost their staked money, with the "almost absolute impossibility of collecting winnings." Furthermore, the lack of identity and age verification mechanisms allowed minors to easily access these sites, exposing them to the dangers of gambling at a young age and the associated harms. The Ufeic highlighted the vulnerability of minors, some of whom are tragically exploited to work as "cashiers" for these illegal operations in exchange for minimal gains, drawing them into criminal schemes.

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Ufeic resaltaron que este tipo de plataformas aprovecha “la vulnerabilidad de menores de edad que, lamentablemente, luego terminan ‘trabajando’ como cajeros de esos sitios ilegales a cambio de una mínima ganancia, pero adentrándose en un rol dentro de un esquema delincuencial por lo que aparece necesaria la concientización por medio de los diferentes medios en vistas a evitar aún más perjuicios.

Fiscal Patricio Ferrari underscored the importance of collaborative strategies involving public and private entities, particularly the Provincial Institute of Lotteries and Casinos of Buenos Aires. He stressed the necessity for all stakeholders to unite efforts in combating child gambling addiction, the harmful effects of which are exacerbated by these now-neutralized illegal sites. This operation is a continuation of previous efforts; nearly two years ago, in June 2024, the Enacom blocked 55 sites transmitting sporting events illegally, including platforms popular among football fans seeking to avoid paying for subscription services. The fight against illegal online activities, particularly those preying on vulnerable populations, remains a key focus for Argentine law enforcement and regulatory bodies.

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apareciendo como necesaria la misión de todos los intervinientes de aunar esfuerzos en vistas a combatir la ludopatía infantil cuyos nocivos efectos son aumentados por aquellos sitios ilegales ahora neutralizados a partir de la medida aludida cuya operatividad permanentemente debe analizarse avanzando en las acciones respectivas.