LOTBA Blocks Around 2,300 Illegal Websites

In an effort to combat the alarming rise in gambling addiction among young people, Argentina’s gambling regulator (LOTBA) has blocked around 2,300 illegal websites and identified at least 110 influencers promoting illegal gambling

According to Jesús Acevedo, head of LOTBA, not only technical devices were seized during nine simultaneous searches, but cash and firearms were also found.

LOTBA is now actively engaged in combating gambling addiction. Their strategy includes:

1. Raising public awareness of the existence of addiction.
2. Regulatory and punitive measures for the illegal market.
3. Festivals for minors to talk about the risks of gambling.
4. The “Talk is Victory” campaign.

According to the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Gambling, 110 influencers and public figures are under investigation for promoting platforms that are unlicensed and not subject to state regulation. The defendants in the case include popular figures in Latin America, including model Wanda Nara and singer L-Gante.

As part of the alternative approach, 27 people entered into a settlement agreement with the prosecutor's office. Some of them have already recorded videos in which they warn their subscribers about the harm of illegal gambling and the risks of gambling addiction. These materials are published in Instagram stories for three days and must remain pinned to the profile for at least one month.

Thus, those who previously contributed to the spread of shadow gambling are now used as conduits for the opposite message - with a direct appeal to their own audience. The Argentine initiative could become an example for other countries where the influence of influencers on online gambling is a concern.