Online Gaming Takes the Lead in La Pampa, Argentina – iGamingToday.com

Jorge Payeras, General Manager for the DAFAS, made the somewhat astonishing statement that online gaming is outpacing all other forms of gambling combined in terms of revenue generation. Talking in an interview with Infopico Radio, Payeras shared updated figures and spoke of the changing nature of the province’s gaming industry.

Online Gaming Overtakes Traditional Formats

According to Payeras, the growth of online betting has changed player habits and reshaped the economic landscape of the province. “For some time now, online gaming has been collecting more than all the other games combined, more than the Quiniela, Quini, Loto, Telekino, and Telebingo,” he said.

While this change has increased official revenues, Payeras made it clear that it also comes with significant challenges-above all, the persistence of illegal gambling. “At the national level, it is estimated that official online gaming represents only about 30% of the total online gaming activity. That means roughly 70% still operate in the shadows”, he explained.

Combating Illegal Gambling

Payeras explained that such a struggle against illegal gaming is hard to win, mainly because of the lack of an effective national law. Many unauthorized gaming sites are based abroad, adding to the complications of enforcement. “Without a national law providing us with the right tools, it will be very difficult to combat illegal gaming”, he said.

He also encouraged gamblers to make sure they only bet through licensed channels. “Players should remember that only those websites that end with .bet.ar are officially licensed and regulated”, he said.

The rapid growth of online gaming has transformed consumer preferences and underlined regulatory and social challenges. With online gambling fast becoming the main source of entertainment for many Argentinians, the discussion on the need for stronger regulation and public awareness gains impetus.

Smoothing the Revenue Data

During the interview, Payeras referred to recent reports by the Instituto de Seguridad Social, or ISS, which suggested that gaming revenue in La Pampa had decreased by 8.2% during the second quarter of 2025. He explained that these figures were incomplete because they did not include the results distribution from the Quiniela Pampeana.

“The information was not quite correct. After adding the missing figures, the second quarter in reality showed a slight advance in comparison with the first”, he said. “A total of ARS 1.709 billion, approximately USD 1.2 million in profits were distributed, versus ARS 1.510 billion, more than USD 1 million in the previous period.”

According to Payeras, the complete data reflect that 2025 had a modest recovery compared with 2024, even though income levels have not reached the levels of 2023 as yet.

Cultural Traditions and Local Preferences

Despite the growing dominance of online platforms, traditional games such as Quiniela Pampeana retain their loyal participant base. Payeras also noted that some numbers remain favorites among punters. “Number 32 is the most popular by a big margin, not only in our province but across the country”, he said. “It’s followed by other favorites such as 14 (the drunk), 22 (the crazy one), and 48 (the talking dead).”

This mix of timeless cultural tradition and constantly evolving gaming technologies underlines how ingrained gambling is within Argentine society, even as the sector moves at a rapid clip towards digital transformation.

End-of-Year Excitement

Before concluding, Payeras invited the players to participate in the Telebingo Pampeano Extraordinario de Fin de Año, one of the most anticipated events during the year in La Pampa. It takes place on December 28 and annually gathers thousands of participants, turning it into a symbolic activity of common people’s entertainment in this province. As La Pampa continues to find a balance between innovation and regulation, the commentary from DAFAS reflects both the opportunities and challenges that come hand in hand with the rapid digitalization of the gaming market in Argentina.

Source: YogoNet