for early access to the latest igaming videos!
and get the latest igaming news first!
Argentina’s La Pampa province generated more than ARS 30 billion (approximately USD 24 million) in regulated gaming revenue during the first half of 2025, official reports confirmed. Dirección de Ayuda Financiera para la Acción Social (DAFAS), the provincial state agency charged with regulating gambling in the province, is responsible for releasing those figures.
Payeras estimates put traditional lottery games such as the quiniela, telebingo, quini 6, and loto making a collective ARS 2.5 billion (USD 1.9 million) in just the month of June 2025. Gaming websites, on the other hand, made a staggering ARS 3 billion (USD 2.3 million) in the same month. Based on these estimates, the half-year aggregate revenue stands to be well over ARS 30 billion.
“Internet gambling is already several times greater than all other games put together“, Payeras said in an interview with InfoPico Radio. He was happy to note that the statistics cited encompass only legal gambling, suggesting 60 to 70% of gambling still takes place in unregulated, illegal venues.
Online Gambling Surpasses Inflation
Payeras referred to the explosive growth of online gambling, the only gambling sector that has shown steady growth, even higher than Argentina’s high inflation rates. Whereas inflation accelerated to 117% in 2024, online gambling grew allegedly between 170% and 175% over the same period.
This trend began in 2019 with the province legalizing online gambling. Payeras explained how it is a “natural process” for users to transition from illegal to legal websites, spurred by enhanced regulation, safe experiences, and platforms available under the watch of the state.
The Role of Legal Gambling in a Fragile Economy
Even though the economic crisis that hit Argentina persists, gambling, and internet gambling specifically, is a recalcitrant industry. Payeras noted that while most commercial and industrial sectors have plummeted dramatically, gambling revenue has proven to be more consistent.
However, he cautioned that illegal gambling remains a serious issue. These underground activities are illegal, tax-exempt, and accessible to minors. Additionally, they also do not practice compliance with labor codes, in the sense that workers have no legally mandated protection or contracts. “If gambling were forbidden and DAFAS were closed, people would not stop gambling“, Payeras explained. “Having official gambling allows for proper regulation and control.”
The Relationship Between Online Platforms and Physical Casinos
When asked if online gambling would have any impact on the attendance of brick-and-mortar casinos, Payeras conceded there might be a drop in attendance. However, he insisted that physical casinos retain a strong clientele from their faithful followers. “Casinos still have their audience“, he said, suggesting the two environments can exist and target varying tastes.
The La Pampa report offers a clear picture of how gambling that is regulated and legal is evolving in Argentina. Though online gambling is taking the lead and the state is increasingly worried about how it can regulate the business, the challenge now is to curb illegal operations and ensure that legal gambling continues to grow healthily.
As economic uncertainty reigns, gambling under the law is a safe and regulated source of revenue to put in the public purse. DAFAS’s approach stresses transparency, management, and modernization necessary to address both economic and social problems confronting the gaming business.
Source: YogoNet
