Argentina: Santa Fe court advances trial against seven charged over illegal online casino network

The Judiciary of Santa Fe has confirmed that seven individuals will stand trial for allegedly operating an illegal online betting network that handled hundreds of unauthorized gambling domains across Argentina. 

The ruling, issued by Judge Cecilia Labanca, formally accepted the charges presented by Prosecutor Agustín Nigro and admitted the full body of testimonial, documentary and digital evidence.

The defense’s motions to dismiss the case, challenge the court’s jurisdiction, or request probation were rejected. According to Prosecutor Nigro, the case includes conclusive evidence of a structured operation aimed at capturing wagers on unlicensed platforms between April 2023 and October 2024. 

He said: “From the Prosecutor’s Office, we have conclusive elements to demonstrate in an oral and public trial the criminal operations of each of the accused. The prosecution will seek effective prison sentences and monetary penalties.”

The defendants include two Brazilian nationals and five Argentine citizens, aged between 28 and 63. Prosecutors requested five years and six months in prison for the Brazilian defendants, and between four and four years and six months for the Argentine participants, alongside maximum fines permitted by the Penal Code.

According to the investigation, the group operated at least 385 websites and subdomains that offered online casino and sports betting services without local authorization. Their activities were allegedly linked to two foreign corporate entities, which managed the financial flows of the operation through a national banking channel.

Good to know: Earlier in the case, cryptocurrency accounts linked to the same illegal gambling operation were frozen 

The two Brazilian defendants are described as company directors responsible for coordinating transactions and technical infrastructure.

Authorities also revealed that around 20% of the users identified were minors, averaging 15 years old, while the general user base had an average age of 24.

Once the trial order is finalized, a court will appoint the tribunal and set a formal hearing date. The proceedings mark one of the most significant judicial actions taken in Argentina against unlicensed online gambling operators, signaling growing efforts to address illicit betting activity at the provincial level.

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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