The National Directorate of Lotteries and Quinielas of Uruguay (DNLQ) recently issued an official statement, emphasizing the strict prohibition of advertising unauthorized online gambling or betting services within the country to protect citizens from legal, financial, and digital security risks. The agency calls on media, advertising companies, and event organizers to strictly comply with current regulations and eliminate all forms of illegal gambling promotion.
DNLQ clearly states that only games that are authorized by the state, licensed, and sold through official channels are legal. Public participation in unauthorized platforms may not only face legal consequences, but their funds and personal information are also not guaranteed to be secure. The statement also reminds that any gambling promotion without permission, whether through digital advertising, emails, public place signage, or sports events, is illegal.
According to Uruguay's Law No. 19,535 and Decree No. 366/017, the government has the authority to take blocking measures against websites involved in illegal gambling, money flows, and commercial communications. Violations will be subject to heavy fines ranging from 10,000 to 20 million index units, depending on the severity of the circumstances and the legal record. DNLX concludes the statement with a call: "Let us together maintain the transparency and safety of the digital entertainment environment."
It is noteworthy that although the government proposed an online gambling regulation bill at the end of 2021 and it was approved by the Senate in 2022, the bill has not yet been officially implemented. The first article of the bill authorizes the General Directorate of Casinos of the Ministry of Economy and Finance to supervise online casino games conducted through the internet, applications, and other technological platforms, such as poker, roulette, and slot machines. The second article stipulates that operators must already own a physical casino and meet franchising requirements to apply for an online business license.
Despite the recognition of the necessity to regulate online gambling by unions and gaming companies, there is also criticism of some clauses in the government proposal, and the specific implementation time of the bill is still uncertain.
