Most Popular eSports Bookies in Argentina

Foreign bookmakers are generally very willing to open up to bettors from Argentina, as the potential for new business far outweighs the negligible possibility of being penalized by Argentine authorities. Prior attempts to instruct local ISPs to block foreign betting sites bore no fruits. Betting continues to thrive in Argentina despite a law that does not clearly define the legality of online sportsbooks.

Argentina is a country that permits gambling freely, and this page examines in detail the legitimacy of eSports betting sites in Argentina. Various sites give signup bonuses, but these offers constantly change, so reading the fine print is essential.

With sponsorships and partnerships signed with global brands, Argentina is making headway in eSports. Recently, Argentine bookies have signed deals with Cooler Master, the sponsor of CASLA eSports (San Lorenzo eSports), and Logitech, the benefactor of 9z Team. As part of the Spanish-speaking regions, Argentina participates in LATAM tournaments together with Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Peru.

Argentinian teams play the Latin America League (LLA) and the Brazilian League of Legends Championship or CBLOL. As such, many citizens have shown interest in eSports, considering local production companies are also working on these games.

Valve's previous versions of CS: GO played a significant role in the rise of eSports in the country. This is still the top eSports game in the Argentinian betting market. Today, almost every adult male in Argentina plays Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. It's like football; every punter has tried it at least once, even the least experienced. In fact, the majority of players in Argentina prefer first-person shooters such as CS: GO. The most popular PC games are shooters, followed closely by battle royale.

In 2019, a 13-year-old Argentinean eSports player raised almost $1 million in prize money, a story that drew the attention of media outlets and was featured in numerous publications. As of now, Argentina residents can easily access eSports betting sites around the world, and a wide variety of payment options means the wagering process is pretty straightforward.

There is no federal law governing casino gaming, so the industry is regulated by Argentina's 23 provinces. According to the 2016 report by Clarion Gaming, Argentina had 80 casino complexes. The number stands at 157 today. Casino gamers can gamble freely in most provinces, and the activity is well-received across the country.

Buenos Aires has the biggest casino in the entire continent (Casino de Trilenium) and one of the three legally operating casinos in Argentina. It offers a 180,000 square footage of gaming area inside a gleaming glass tower reminiscent of the casino scene in the Las Vegas Strip. Players enjoy nearly 2,000 slot machines and table games, making it the most sought-after gambling spot in South America.

Esports Legislation in Argentina

While sports legislation in the US varies from state to state, Argentina's regulatory framework differs from city to city. In some cities, residents and foreigners can bet on regulated sports provided they have attained the legal age (18 years). Buenos Aires offers legal eSports betting in Argentina, but only residents can participate. Moreover, all bettors must use credit cards and pay levies after winning. This helps the government to monitor the gambling revenue and ensure that all punters are of age.

Operators from other cities that want to operate eSports betting must obtain a license from the Lottery of the City of Buenos Aires. With that permit, they can provide their betting services throughout Argentina.

International eSports books are also accessible from this country. They are the ideal sites for punters in other Argentine cities where online eSports betting is not yet licensed. Such platforms are regulated in foreign markets and are allowed to operate in Argentina as the local legislation doesn't prohibit overseas bookmakers. This means Argentinian customers do not break the law by joining these websites. A lot of players have testified that international sites offer a better experience.

Betting Acts in Argentina

Argentina offers all kinds of betting opportunities, both online and land-based. Gambling legislation may be loose, but many forms of betting are unregulated and operate without an official license. On 26 December 2021, Bill no. 34270/L/21 was passed by the unicameral legislature. The law offers different modalities for online gaming within Argentine provinces. Through the Registry of Online Gaming Licenses, this regulation will govern online eSports betting sites. It was put in place to eradicate suspicious games in the fight against delinquency and fraud.

In a parliamentary debate, changes were proposed concerning the number of companies that may be granted betting licenses. The number was raised from five to 10, and the license period was reduced to 15 years from 20 years. Possible fines and penalties were made more severe.

Argentine National Criminal Code

Section 301 of the criminal code dictates that illegal gambling organizers can be arrested by law enforcement officers. The liability may extend to gamblers in some scenarios, such as wagering non-authorized bets or betting in places without proper authorization pursuant to section 7 of the amended law no. 13,470. Enforcement differs according to the jurisdiction in question. Legal actions may be taken by local regulators as indicated by section 301 of the Argentine Criminal Code. The proceedings take place at local courts.

2019 Tax Act

To obtain licensing, sportsbooks must fulfill at least 20 requirements and thereafter pay 25% of their profits to the Province tax authority as per the 2019 Tax Act. Out of the revenue, 15% is the income tax, 2% is the licensing fee, and 8% goes to the respective gambling authority. Municipalities hosting bookmakers take 10% of the licensing fees.

Argentinean players use credit and debit cards for sports betting as it is part of the requirement at locally licensed operators. The best esports betting sites in Argentina accept MasterCard and Visa. Lobanet, a B2B payment system, provides swift and safe money transfers for online gambling.

Residential customers who want to fund their betting accounts without incurring currency conversion fees use EntroPay, Click2Pay, and bank transfer. These methods facilitate easy deposits with Argentinian Pesos.

Other trusted payment options for online esports betting in Argentina include PayPal, PaySafeCard, Skrill, Ukash, AstroPay, and Moneybookers. These are more suitable when using depositing with globally recognized currencies like the euro, US dollar, and pound sterling. The proliferation of digital currencies such as BTC, ETH, DOGE, and LTC make it easier to transact at international betting sites accepting Argentinian players. They are incredibly secure and anonymous.