Buenos Aires Bans Child Support Debtors from Casinos
Buenos Aires Province has taken a firm step toward reinforcing child welfare policies by approving new legislation that bars individuals who owe court-ordered child support from entering casinos, bingo halls and other land-based gaming venues. The bill, recently cleared by the provincial Senate, now moves to the Executive Branch for enactment and is expected to significantly influence regulatory practices in Argentina’s most populous gambling jurisdiction.
Accountability at the Center of the New Framework
The measure applies to anyone listed in the RDAM (Registro de Deudores Alimentarios Morosos), a public registry that tracks delinquent child-support payers. Introduced by provincial deputy Germán Di Cesare, the law establishes a firm prohibition: anyone recorded in the RDAM database will be prevented from accessing any licensed gambling venue in the province.
This initiative expands upon Law 13.074, which previously focused only on the creation and function of the RDAM. The reform aims to ensure that individuals who neglect child-support obligations cannot continue participating in paid recreational gambling without fulfilling their legal responsibilities to minors.
Supporters of the bill described it as a “tangible mechanism to safeguard children and adolescents,” emphasizing that it imposes meaningful consequences on those who avoid parental duties.
Operator Obligations: Mandatory Identity Checks
A core feature of the legislation is the mandatory verification process for gaming operators. Article 4 establishes that every casino, bingo hall and physical gaming establishment must check the RDAM registry before admitting any visitor.
If a person appears on the list, entry must be denied on the spot.
To facilitate this process, the Executive Branch must guarantee that all operators have immediate and reliable access to the RDAM registry, which will likely require integrated digital identification systems capable of real-time lookup.
Strict Penalties for Failure to Comply
The law introduces a tiered system of sanctions for operators who do not enforce the access restrictions. Penalties include:
Formal warnings
Fines between 10 and 100 minimum wages
Temporary closure of the gaming venue
Permanent closure for repeated or severe violations
These measures underscore the province’s intention to ensure full compliance and prevent operators from ignoring the rules for financial gain.
A designated oversight authority yet to be appointed will conduct inspections, manage enforcement and ensure operators implement the required systems. The regulatory details must be finalized and published within 90 days of the law’s promulgation.
Part of a Wider Push for Social Responsibility
The initiative reflects a broader regional shift linking gambling regulation with social responsibility. As concerns rise in Argentina regarding unpaid child support and the accessibility of gambling, the law positions Buenos Aires Province at the forefront of policy measures aimed at strengthening family protections.
By conditioning entry into gaming venues on the fulfillment of essential parental obligations, the province signals that child support compliance takes precedence over gaming entertainment.
While operators will need to adjust their administrative procedures and invest in verification infrastructure, lawmakers argue that these changes are necessary to promote accountability and protect minors.
What Comes Next
Following Senate approval, the province will enter a transitional phase as the government installs the technological systems and oversight protocols required for implementation. Over the next 90 days, authorities will finalize the operational framework and outline how identity verification will integrate into daily operations at gaming venues.
Once in effect, the measure will represent a landmark precedent in Argentina and the region, establishing that delinquent child-support obligations carry consequences extending beyond financial penalties and directly into recreational activities such as gambling.
