- Both the province and city of Buenos Aires passed laws in late 2018 to regulated and tax online gaming.
- It now seems likely that a left-leaning Government will be appointed after the general elections, to be held on October 27.
- This has put the tender process in jeopardy, though its exact status is unclear.
- Expansion of gambling is controversial; its status under a socialist government should be considered in jeopardy.
The tender process for seven online gambling licenses in the Province of Buenos Aires has reportedly been put on hold following an election primary suggesting the country will shift politically to the left in October’s general election.
The Governor of Buenos Aires, María Eugenia Vidal, who signed Decree 181/19 into law in April that authorizes online gambling, has put pause to the process until after the general elections next month, local media has reported.
Given election primary results last month and current polling, it seems likely that the coalition party Frente de Todos will form the next Government.
The decision to issue licenses, modify the bill—or kill the bill entirely—may now fall to Vidal’s likely successor, Axel Kicillof.
Any expansion of gambling is controversial in the country; its status under a socialist government with much bigger issues to tackle should be considered in jeopardy. However, it remains a key source of potential new revenue for a province effectively in default.
