Uruguay urges media not to air illegal advertisements

Uruguay’s National Directorate of Lotteries and Pools (DNLQ) has issued a formal warning to media outlets over the promotion of unlicensed online gambling platforms. 

The regulator stressed that, under current law, both the operation and advertising of unauthorized sites are strictly prohibited in the country, even if the content originates from abroad.

Despite this legislation, the DNLQ has identified illegal promotions in several broadcasts, including sports events aired on private and public television channels as well as via streaming services.

According to the authority, most cases occur in programming imported from abroad, where gambling sponsorships are common, such as sports coverage or reality shows.

In one instance, betting promotions were mentioned within the program itself, bypassing traditional advertising slots.

Officials clarified that local broadcasters are responsible for ensuring compliance, meaning they must interrupt or adapt transmissions to avoid showing gambling promotions that are not authorized in Uruguay. 

The regulator underlined that platforms have the technical capacity to block or adapt advertising by geography, and therefore cannot claim impossibility as an excuse. 

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In addition, the authority is reviewing potential “grey areas” in the current framework. These include ads accompanied by disclaimers that exclude certain territories and online pop-up advertising. 

The DNLQ said it is open to proposing new rules to clarify these situations and strengthen oversight.

The regulator continues to conduct random content monitoring and encourages citizens to report illegal gambling via hotline or online form.

Carlos Mendez

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Odds tell a story long before the result does. When bettors learn to read that story properly, betting becomes a matter of discipline and value rather than emotion or guesswork.

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