If you plan to start a sports betting business in Argentina, you might be on the right track. Or… you might be underestimating what it takes to succeed there. Argentina is a contradictory market. On the one hand, it offers scale, a robust payment infrastructure, and a regulated framework. On the other hand, the casino still dominates player preferences, legislation is complex and province-driven, and users demand real localization with strict responsible gambling controls.
In this article, I outline the current state of sports betting in Argentina. Read on to see whether this destination aligns with your goals, budget, and risk appetite.
TL;DR: Sports Betting, Argentina (2026)
- Online Sportsbook Business in Argentina Is Regulated, but Decentralized: 23 provinces and Buenos Aires City set their own rules and licensing procedures;
- Compliance and Payments Drive Trust: Argentine bettors prefer authorized platforms with visible responsible gambling tools, clear warnings, bet.ar domains, and familiar payment options;
- Football Dominates Betting Activity: It is the number one sport across any betting site (Argentina), followed by rugby, tennis, and basketball;
- Profit and Entertainment Top Betting Motivations: Argentinians bet to win money, but they also value the experience and engagement.
- Betting Is a Skill-Based Activity: Users invest time in pre-match research and expect transparent statistics, data, and analytical tools;
- Macroeconomic Factors Push the iGaming Industry Growth: A gradually stabilizing economy, strong internet penetration, a predominantly urban and economically active population, and a socially accepted betting culture;
- Localization Is Non-Negotiable: Argentine Spanish and local event coverage build credibility and player trust;
- Payment Flexibility Is Critical: Argentinians expect cards, bank transfers, major digital wallets (Mercado Pago, MODO, Ualá, Cuenta DNI, Naranja X), cash networks (Rapipago, Pago Fácil), and crypto (Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT);
- Sportsbook Attracts Users; Casino Balances Revenue: While the sportsbook is often the acquisition tool, the casino stabilizes revenue, making a two-vertical platform a perfect choice to start a betting company in Argentina.
One Market, 24 Rulebooks
The first thing you need to understand is that Argentina’s online betting market is regulated, but fragmented. National rules establish AML requirements, data protection, advertising limits, indirect taxes, and the mandatory use of the .bet.ar domain. Everything else happens at the provincial level. Each of the 23 provinces and the City of Buenos Aires licenses and supervises operators independently.
Costs, timeframes, and compliance obligations vary by jurisdiction. This structure directly affects market entry and scaling. To operate legally in multiple provinces, you need a separate license for each one.
| Province | Regulator | Online Betting | Covered Betting Activities |
| City of Buenos Aires (CABA) | LOTBA S.E. | Regulated Resolution No. 321/2018 | - Sports betting
- Non-sports event betting
- Virtual games betting
- Mutual betting, regardless of whether skill or chance predominates, and regardless of the technology used
|
| Province of Buenos Aires | IPLyC | Regulated Law No. 15,079/2018 | - Sports and non-sports betting
- Horse racing betting
- Virtual games betting (excluding lottery)
*Betting through third parties and on political events is prohibited |
| Catamarca | Caja de Crédito y Prestaciones Provincial de Catamarca | Regulated Law No. 4,217/2020 | - All betting activities carried out in the province, including those through remote IT platforms
|
| Chubut | IAS | Regulated Law I No. 799/2024 | - Sports betting, conducted only through electronic/IT/telematic/interactive means
|
| Córdoba | Lotería de la Provincia de Córdoba S.E. | Regulated Law No. 10,793/2021 | |
| Corrientes | ILCC | Regulated Resolution No. 615/2020 | - Bets on real events (sports and non-sports)
*Betting on political events is prohibited |
| Formosa | IAS | Regulated Law No. 1,348/2000 (modified in 2024) | - Horse racing betting
- Sports pools
|
| Jujuy | InProJuy | Regulated Law No. 6,234/2021 | |
| La Pampa | DAFAS | Regulated Law No. 2,974/2016 | |
| La Rioja | AJALaR | Regulated Law No. 10,743/2024 | - Sports betting and predictions
- Horse racing betting
|
| Mendoza | IPJyC | Regulated Law No. 9,267/2020 | |
| Misiones | IPLyC S.E | Regulated Law I No. 113/2019 | - Mutual betting
- Horse racing betting
|
| San Juan | Caja de Acción Social | Regulated Law No. 2,724-P/2024 | - Betting in a broad sense via digital/electronic/telematic means
|
| Santa Fe | Caja de Asistencia Social/Lotería de Santa Fe | Regulated Law No. 14,235/2023, Resolution No. 522/2025 | - Sports betting/forecasting, offered through digital/electronic/telematic platforms
- Bets on non-sporting events (e.g., award shows, political results), organized by third parties, with uncertain outcomes
- Pool betting
- Exchange betting (P2P)
- Live, pre-match betting
- Single, multiple, fixed odds bets
*Bets on injuries are prohibited *Horse racing bets are regulated separately |
| Chaco | Lotería Chaqueña | Not explicitly regulated | — |
| Entre Ríos | IAFAS |
| Neuquén | IPJA |
| Río Negro | Lotería para Obras de Acción Social |
| Salta | ENREJA |
| San Luis | Caja Social y Financiera |
| Santa Cruz | LOAS |
| Tierra del Fuego | IRPA |
| Tucumán | Caja Popular de Ahorros de la Provincia |
| Santiago del Estero | — | Illegal Law No. 6,604/2003 | — |
💡 Check this article to get a full view of Argentina’s gambling regulation.
On the bettor side, regulation matters as well. Argentine users tend to choose authorized platforms with visible warning signs, responsible gambling tools, and .bet.ar domains. Local regulators support these preferences. Nineteen provinces have already rolled out dedicated RG frameworks and blocked hundreds of illegal betting platforms.
In Argentina, football is more than just a popular sport. It’s a cultural identity or, better say, religion. Yes, horse racing built the betting habit, but football turned it into a national ritual.
Now, the Superclásico matches, rugby with Los Pumas, ATP tennis tournament in Buenos Aires, basketball, cycling, and polo—all attract steady betting interest. What’s important, these are cultural, not trend-driven, patterns.
And here are some numbers. Argentina’s total gambling market is currently estimated at around USD 6.4 billion and is expected to reach USD 7.4 billion by 2030. Casino takes the biggest slice, but sports betting is gaining traction. According to El Economista, at the end of 2025, Argentina had approximately 4.6 million active online bettors, generating roughly USD 1.57 billion in revenue. And this segment is projected to reach around USD 1.44 billion by 2030.
For operators, the takeaway is simple: a stable revenue flow in Argentina requires a balance of sportsbook and casino products in the portfolio.
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Behavioral Insights
Bettors often discover platforms through social media ads, influencers, or word of mouth. Research by ALEA shows that while 43% are comfortable with occasional betting. At the same time, trust in digital is still fragile. 23% view online betting as risky and struggle to distinguish between legal and illegal platforms, which makes land-based venues still attractive.
Interestingly, the economic challenges (more on that later) have also influenced betting habits and leisure activities in Argentina. With inflation and currency volatility, some bettors view online sports betting as both entertainment and a means to earn extra income. User expectations are rising fast. Live betting, real-time stats, smooth onboarding, and familiar payments are now the baseline.
According to the survey by Playtech, 64% of active Argentine bettors place at least one wager per week. Men are more active and spend more: 69% bet weekly, and 75% spend over USD 8 (~ARS 11k) per month. Among women, 59% bet weekly, but only 49% exceed that amount. Just 2% report never having won a bet.
Many Argentine users treat betting as a skill-based activity rather than a matter of pure chance, investing time in pre-match analysis and live data before placing their wagers. When they win, the money often goes straight into savings or everyday expenses, like groceries, bills, and other daily purchases.
From Betting Culture to Regional Overview
According to economic reports, Argentina is showing clear signs of recovery. GDP growth forecasts are projected to be in the 3.5%–4.5% range, driven by agricultural exports, renewable energy, manufacturing, and high-tech services, and reinforced by the IMF and the World Bank stabilization efforts. Inflation is cooling from previous years, but it remains at a two-digit rate.
Source: Trading Economics
Argentina’s clearest progress shows up in its fiscal numbers. After years of chronic deficits, 2024 delivered a primary and financial surplus of 0.3% of GDP for the first time since 2006. For Argentina, that’s not a minor improvement. It’s a signal that the rules of the game are being rewritten. The 2026 budget direction keeps that trend, with a projected primary surplus of ~1.5%. If growth holds and Argentina regains access to international capital for refinancing, the debt pressure may decrease.
Source: Statista, Deloitte
At the same time, unemployment is rising from recent lows due to ongoing reforms. That’s a common short-term effect of economic restructuring, but it can impact consumer confidence and spending. Add to this inequality (GINI ~42.4), high interest rates (~29%), and a 35% corporate tax rate, and you get a risky but promising market that demands a cautious strategy.
Demographic Specifics
Argentina rewards operators who get the local specifics. The country is a federal presidential republic, with power split across 23 provinces and the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. As I mentioned earlier, this affects iGaming legislation and licensing.
With 46 million people, Argentina is the fourth-largest market in Latin America. It’s also highly urbanized. Approximately 96% of the population resides in cities such as Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Rosario, Mendoza, and La Plata, which serve as the key economic and cultural hubs.
The demographic profile is favorable. Two-thirds of Argentinians fall into the 15–64 working-age range, with a median age of 32.9. This is a large, economically active audience. The gender distribution is nearly even (50.4% female, 49.6% male), which opens broad targeting options across sportsbook and casino products.
Work patterns shape bettor behavior. Many Argentinians work Monday through Friday, often including Saturdays. Leisure peaks tend to hit Saturday evenings and Sundays, which is prime time for betting activity and promotional pushes. The average net monthly salary is approximately USD 583.
One more practical insight: the entire country operates on a single time zone, ART (UTC−3), with no daylight saving time. That simplifies marketing, campaign timing, and live betting operations.
Speaking the Bettor’s Language
Spanish dominates the country, and gambling rules require its use within betting platforms, customer support, and ads. However, Argentine Spanish is distinct. It’s more emotional, more melodic, and heavily influenced by Italian rhythm. Using “neutral” or Spain-style Spanish in a sportsbook instantly feels foreign and weakens trust.
Localization here must go far beyond translation. Argentine bettors prefer a more informal tone. They respond to direct and friendly phrasing. Messages like “Cuánto ganás,” “Cuánto te queda,” and “Cuándo cobrás” work better than polished copy.
Superstition is a part of betting talk. Expressions like “no mufar” (don’t jinx it), “está cantado” (it’s a sure thing), or “me dio mala espina” (bad feeling) look natural in promos and live betting chats. Core betting terms are local too: “polla” (pool bet), “quiniela” (numbers lottery), “turf” (horse racing), “boleta” (bet slip), and “plata” (money).
Pronunciation also affects voice-overs and ads. The most distinctive trait is pronouncing “ll” and “y” with a soft “sh” sound, so “polla” often comes out as “pó-sha.”
Grammar matters even more. Argentina stands out for “voceo”, i.e., replacing “tú” with “vos.” Some vivid examples are “Vos jugás” and “Vos apostás.” Addressing bettors with “tú” in UI text, ads, or push notifications creates friction and reduces credibility.
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Argentina’s Digital Advantage
Argentina stands out as one of Latin America’s most digitally mature markets. With an internet penetration rate reaching 98% and active smartphone use even among older generations, Argentina has evolved into a truly mobile-first society. We can also trace this trend across web traffic: 63% comes from smartphones and only 36% from desktops.
Last year, the country had 64.7 million mobile connections, accounting for approximately 141% of the population. These figures indicate that many Argentinians have more than one SIM or eSIM for personal and work use. According to the GSMA report, most of these connections are broadband (3G or 4G) with a median fixed internet download speed of 92.62 Mbps.
Source: GSMA Intelligence
Argentina’s 43 million internet users spend an average of 4 hours and 24 minutes daily on social media. Platforms like Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and WhatsApp prevail, reaching over 70% of the population. Additionally, 85% of adults (aged 18 and above) are active social media users, making the platforms ideal for targeted engagement and marketing.
Compared to other Latin American countries, Argentina ranks among the top three internet markets. Despite its vast geography, the country maintains a relatively balanced internet penetration rate throughout its territory, which contributes to the further growth of online sports betting in Argentina.
Payment Preferences That Shape Platform Choice
Beyond fair play, Argentinians care about how they pay. It’s often the second-biggest driver of platform choice. In Argentina, betting is paired with a diverse payment landscape, and operators must adapt to it.
Cards and bank transfers still matter, but digital wallets run daily spending. Over 75% of adults use at least one wallet, with Mercado Pago, MODO, Ualá, Cuenta DNI, and Naranja X being the most commonly used options. Bettors prefer to fund their wallets directly from their bank accounts in pesos to avoid currency conversion fees.
Cash isn’t going anywhere either. Rapipago and Pago Fácil remain essential, especially outside major cities, as they bridge the gap for cash-based users.
Crypto adds another payment layer. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT are widely used as an inflation hedge. They attract bettors, but still sit in a partially regulated lane.
Argentine legislation also shapes the iGaming payments. Provinces such as Chubut and Mendoza explicitly require methods approved by the Central Bank of Argentina, including instant transfers via DEBIN, checks, debit cards, and cash.
The Bottom Line
When I look at Argentina, I see a high-potential, high-volatility market that rewards operators who plan carefully, respect the audience, and diversify risk. And the good news is that the betting market there still has room for such players.
If you’re ready to navigate provincial regulations, invest in true localization, speak to Argentinians in their language and tone, and guide them through the platform (not just sell to them), you have a good chance of winning their trust and building a sustainable brand.
