Regulated Markets in South America: An In-Depth Guide

For a long time, the Latin American market has been considered a lucrative prospect for gambling enterprises, drawing interest whenever regulatory conditions are favorable.

As several nations are leaning towards sanctioning gambling to harness robust tax revenues, a global wave of operators, affiliates, and providers are keen to tap into the market.

Currently, the continent presents a spectrum of regulations: some regions are exceedingly stringent, others offer lenient terms, and the rest are rapidly moving towards establishing regulations, or are on the brink of doing so.

In this scenario, Vista Gamble takes a close look at each country’s specific regulations, spotlighting what is permissible and what remains off the table.

Brazil - At this moment, Brazil holds an unregulated stance on gambling, rendering most gambling formats illegal. Nonetheless, there have been promising strides and deliberations concerning gambling's legalization and regulation.

Except for sports betting (once fully sanctioned), online gambling still largely skirts the boundaries of legality.

Bolivia - Bolivia's gambling scene is under regulation. The 'Autoridad de Fiscalización del Juego' (AJ) functions as the regulatory body managing licensing, regulatory practices, and control over gambling activities.

Even online gambling is under watch in Bolivia. Service providers of online gambling must secure licenses from the AJ and comply with rules that advocate fair play and safeguard consumer interests.

Argentina - Governed by a web of regulations, Argentina's gambling framework varies across its territories. Following a federal structure, each of Argentina's 23 provinces and the autonomous city of Buenos Aires has its unique gambling laws and oversight agencies.

Some provinces regulate online gambling, with Buenos Aires leading the charge in progressive online gambling laws.

Colombia - With an elaborate and comprehensive system, Colombia is a regulatory frontrunner in Latin America. It was among the first to lay the groundwork for online gambling regulations.

Online gambling service providers need a license from Coljuegos and must adhere to regulations devised for consumer protection and fair gaming standards.

Chile - Gambling activities in Chile are controlled under a robust regulatory framework covering both land-based and online formats.

Efforts are underway in Chile to streamline regulations for online gambling and sports betting, aiming for a well-defined regulatory structure.

Guyana - With specific laws for casinos, lotteries, and horse racing, Guyana regulates land-based gambling.

However, the domain of online gambling faces lagging regulatory development.

Ecuador - Ecuador maintains rigid prohibitions against gambling. Per constitutional decrees, all gambling forms like casinos, betting locales, and online sites are banned.

Venezuela - Some gambling activities are lawful and under regulation, with complexities and potential for change inherent in its regulatory pattern.

The field of online gambling in Venezuela stands in a gray area due to an absence of precise legal guidelines, leaving its status undefined.

Paraguay - Paraguay’s gambling activities are regulated with 'Conajzar' governing all legitimate gambling operations nationwide.

Regulatory intricacies cloud the legality of online gambling, creating a nebulous legal space for online platforms.

Uruguay - In Uruguay, the DGC ensures gambling fairness. Online gambling, however, resembles an uncharted landscape due to ambiguous regulations.

The lack of clear online betting guidelines makes navigating this aspect like venturing into the unknown.

Peru - Operational under the DGCMT's oversight, Peru has legal provisions for managing gambling activities.

Regulations also address online gambling, governing sectors such as sports betting and casino offerings.

Country	Online Gambling	Regulations
Brazil	No	No
Bolivia	Yes	Yes
Argentina	Yes	Yes (in some provinces)
Colombia	Yes	Yes
Chile	Yes	No (in process of regulating)
Guyana	Yes	No
Ecuador	No	No
Venezuela	Yes	Grey Area
Paraguay	Yes	Grey Area
Uruguay	Yes	Grey Area
Peru	Yes	Grey Area