Argentina’s Senate has backed a motion to prioritise legislation addressing gambling addiction and online betting regulation ahead of the country’s 30 November legislative deadline.
Senator Lucía Corpacci introduced the request during an ordinary Senate sitting, calling for faster consideration of a bill approved by the Chamber of Deputies in November 2024. The motion received support through a show of hands, although the legislation requires further parliamentary consideration before it can become law.
Senator requests urgent committee review of online betting legislation
Corpacci, a Justicialist Party senator representing Catamarca, proposed two measures to accelerate the bill’s progress.
She requested its immediate consideration at a joint meeting of the Senate committees responsible for reviewing the legislation. The senator also called for the proposal to be included in the agenda for extraordinary parliamentary sessions if necessary.
A similar request for priority consideration was submitted in 2025, but the legislation has remained pending in the upper chamber. This latest motion gives the proposal procedural priority without constituting legislative approval.
Gambling addiction concerns influence renewed legislative push
Corpacci linked the proposed legislation to concerns about gambling addiction and its effects on public health.
Drawing on her experience as chair of the Senate Health Committee, she described gambling addiction as a psychological issue requiring legislative attention. The senator also criticised sports organisations for promoting online betting, raising concerns about gambling’s visibility through sporting activities.
Her intervention comes amid wider discussions in Argentina about the regulation of digital betting platforms and measures intended to prevent problematic gambling. The Health Committee is among the parliamentary bodies responsible for examining the legislation.
Proposed legislation has awaited Senate approval since 2024
The bill was introduced by Civic Coalition lawmaker Mónica Frade and approved by Argentina’s Chamber of Deputies on 27 November 2024.
It addresses the prevention of problematic gambling alongside the regulation of gambling activities and online betting. The legislative proposal has subsequently remained under Senate consideration, with its review involving the Health, General Legislation, and Justice and Criminal Affairs committees.
As of 4 November, the committees had not confirmed a joint meeting or announced a date for the Senate debate. Therefore, the legislation remains approved by only one chamber of Argentina’s National Congress.
November deadline could delay consideration until 2027
The Senate faces a 30 November deadline to advance the proposal during the current ordinary legislative session. For consideration within that period, the legislation must receive the necessary committee report and be placed on the parliamentary agenda.
If the Senate does not address the bill before the deadline, it cannot become law during the current ordinary session. However, the proposal would retain its parliamentary status until 1 March 2027, allowing consideration in the next legislative year.
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