Argentina: Authorities investigate former Big Brother contestant over alleged gambling promotion

Another former Big Brother Argentina contestant, Catalina Gorostidi, is under investigation by authorities for allegedly promoting illegal online gambling platforms through her social media channels.
The case adds to growing concerns about reality TV personalities leveraging their public profiles to advertise unlicensed betting operators targeting Argentinian audiences.
Gorostidi joins a growing list of former reality show participants facing scrutiny for gambling-related activities. Authorities have intensified enforcement against influencers and public figures promoting illegal betting platforms, particularly those operating without proper licensing in Argentina.
The investigation into Gorostidi comes as Buenos Aires City Lottery and specialized prosecutors have launched a comprehensive crackdown on illegal gambling promotion across social media. Officials have expressed concern about the reach these personalities have, particularly among younger audiences who follow them on platforms like Instagram, TikTok and X.
According to police reports, she was notified in May, but continued using her platform for said objective.
The Gorostidi case mirrors similar enforcement actions against other former Big Brother contestants. Joel Ojeda, another participant from the reality show and former couple of Gorostidi, recently had his home raided by authorities investigating illegal gambling promotion.
The operation, conducted by Buenos Aires City Lottery, the Judicial Police, and the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Gambling, resulted in the seizure of an iPhone 15, two high-end laptops, and ARS398,930 in cash at Ojeda’s residence in San Miguel.
According to police sources, Ojeda had been promoting and recruiting bettors through social media since at least January 2025. Despite being questioned by prosecutors in April, he allegedly continued recruitment activities on a near-daily basis.
Following the raid, Ojeda denied the severity of allegations on social media, stating: “I was never detained or handcuffed. Yes, 12 people raided my house looking for who knows what. Of course, they found nothing.”
Earlier this month, Coti Romero, another former Big Brother contestant, was also raided in connection with promoting unlicensed gambling platforms.
The coordinated enforcement action, led by Buenos Aires City Lottery president Jesús Acevedo alongside prosecutor Juan Rozas and the Specialized Cybercrime Unit of San Isidro, included over 30 simultaneous court-ordered raids, blocking of approximately 2,300 social media profiles and posts and issuance of around 100 legal notices to individuals involved.
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