Manuel Lao, Founder of Cirsa subsidiary who runs the floating casino in Puerto Madero, and Federico de Achával and Ricardo Benedicto, operators of the Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo casino, united to file an injunction against LOTBA.
In it they said: “The decision to hold an application process to grant supposed online gambling permits to private operators, would violate federal legislation that established that the regulation of gambling falls within the scope of the City of Buenos Aires.”
Land-based casino operators were excluded from the bidding process, since the current regulations don’t allow them to apply for a license. Due to the lack of income, the online gambling business would be the land-based sector’s biggest competitor.
Last week, Federal Judge Enrique Lavié Pico approved the request and allowed the legal system to continue studying the case. LOTBA is currently receiving proposals from online operators that want to enter the emerging market in Buenos Aires, and this process can only be stopped by the judge.
Online operators have been applying to LOTBA for licences with land-based casinos unable to apply due to current legislation.
The Association of the Personnel of Racetracks, Agencies, Gambling and Related (Aphara) said in April the new online sector could jeopardise thousands of jobs. Diego Quiroga, Head of the association, said online gambling could cause “serious occupational risks.”
Source: GMB
