Argentina Sports Betting Sites

Argentina is a vigorous Latin American country where most sportsmen, viewers, and punters are emotional and impetuous. The legislation related to gambling and sports betting, in particular, is relatively vague. It resembles the US to some extent, with the difference that here regulations may differ even from one city to another.

Betting on sports has been a part of Argentine culture and everyday life for a long time. The recent advancement of technologies further boosts the locals’ interest in the field by making sports betting more flexible and easy to practice.

We will not surprise anybody by saying that soccer is probably the most popular sport in the country. After all, one of the names emblems in this sport is Diego Armando Maradona, who with his ingenious play and colorful personality has put Argentina on the world football map forever.

Argentina Legislation Historical Betting Overview What You Need to Know Odds Format Argentina Betting Laws Betting Restrictions Regulatory Body Popular Betting Markets Bonuses Mobile Betting Banking Methods Picking a Betting Site Best 10 Betting Sites FAQ

If you are not an experienced punter, you may have a lot of questions related to this attractive field. Do you wonder how to decide whether a particular online sportsbook is reliable or not, or if there are specific country restrictions you must comply with? You are at the right place. We have prepared detailed information about online sports betting in Argentina, so keep on reading.

Legalities of Online Sports Betting in Argentina

Overview

History

Legalization

Software

Historical Betting Overview

The initial forms of gambling on the territory of today’s Argentina date away back in time. We will begin our historical overview in the 19th century when the turf (horse racing) became extremely popular. In the beginning, it was an elitist betting activity performed by nobles and wealthy tradesmen only. Over time, that changed and more people were engaged in this pastime. Betting was considered a way to socialize, have fun and earn some money.

A key event was the establishment of the Buenos Aires Jockey Club in 1882, which gave a strong push to horse racing as one of the everlasting favorites of the betting community in Argentina. A couple of years earlier, in 1867, the first South American football game took place and quickly won the hearts of local fans. Logically, as years passed, more events were held so people started betting on the matches outcomes.

An interesting variation of soccer betting is La Quiniela that is still very popular in Argentina. Its beginning most probably was in 1929 at a Spanish sports bar called La Callealtera. The essence of La Quiniela is making a forecast on several matches, most often within a lottery ticket. Usually, the earnings are divided between charities, prizes, and ticket distribution.

What You Need to Know About Sports Betting in Argentina

Having in mind that online sports betting was completely illegal until 2018, the land-based betting shops, race tracks, casinos, and bingo halls are still popular. However, online bookies licensed by foreign regulatory bodies were able to operate on the Argentinean market although it was a legally grey area. Most cities have only one brick-and-mortar casino, while there are some exceptions of course.

Each province in Argentina is authorized to regulate the gambling activities being executed on its territory. This means that the rules applicable in one city may not be effective in another, so you must always check the local legislation before looking for a betting shop or an online sportsbook.

Some regions in the country are bet-free as the local authorities have decided that no gambling will be accepted within a certain province or municipality. Not everything is lost in this case, as there are a lot of international sportsbooks that accept punters from Argentina regardless of their exact location. Currently, their operation is not regulated by the state authorities, but it is not forbidden also, so you are on the safe side.

Online bookmakers operating in Argentina, especially the foreign companies, follow the latest trends and provide their users with native mobile applications, in-browser apps, various betting markets, and all kinds of promotional offers. As for the payment methods, bettors can use bank transfers, credits cards, eWallets, prepaid cards, and online banking systems.

Odds Format in Argentina

Decimal Odds

Fractional Odds

American Odds

Calculations

One of the first steps to become a successful bettor is to fully understand what different odds formats mean. In general, odds show the possible payout if you place a winning bet. There are several options, but the most famous ones are decimal, fractional, and American.

Argentine culture including food, entertainment, gambling, and sports betting is highly influenced by Spain. Both countries are focused on soccer as one of the leading sports and hence, the most popular odds format on their territories is decimal (eg. 2.9). It enables punters to quickly calculate the return in case they make a successful prediction. It should be borne in mind that the decimal odds indicate the eventual overall return, but not the net profit.

The USA is not that far away and basketball is a preferred choice of bettors in Argentina, so you can often come upon the American odds format while exploring the online sportsbooks. Its characteristic feature is that it comes either with a minus or a plus in front of the number, depending on whether you support the favorite or the underdog.

Argentine Betting Laws and Legislation

When it comes to regulation, sports betting in Argentina is quite a complex field. There is no general law that applies to the whole country. Specific provisions are in force in the individual provinces and there are even regions where any gambling activity is forbidden.

The National Criminal Code of Argentina states that the operation of any gambling business without valid authorization is considered a criminal offense that leads to a penalty of three to six years’ imprisonment.

Regardless of the restrictions present, betting on sports is widespread and leads to the accumulation of significant turnover. That is why the local authorities have begun to introduce some legislative changes that will allow them to better control the market and collect taxes which will eventually increase the revenue in the country’s budget.

The first step was taken by the province of Buenos Aires in 2018 which approved a legislative measure that legalized online sports betting, casino, and lottery games. According to Law No. 15,079 and Decree No. 181/2019, operators must obtain a license issued by the Provincial Lottery and Casino Institute. Non-Argentine betting companies may function only under temporary joint ventures together with a local company. The proviso is that the local entity must have a share of at least 15%.

These recent changes in the Buenos Aires province and city regulations will probably affect other jurisdictions. Currently, they have two options – to initiate licensing procedures or to conclude agreements with administrations that have already legalized online sports betting and gambling.

Despite the fact that sports betting is not regulated on a state level, at the end of 2020, the Ministry of Finance increased the gambling tax from 2% to 5%. The state tax is intended to apply to all online betting transactions. Punters’ winnings are not taxable unless they are professional bettors or eSports athletes.

Betting Restrictions in Argentina

The minimum allowed age for executing betting and gambling activities in Argentina is 18 years. Due to the unequable legislative coverage in the country, however, this restriction is hard to control in some of the regions.

Bettors who have decided to bet only via locally legalized sportsbooks must check which ones have acquired a license in their province of residence. Bookies will not accept wagers from punters outside the respective area. The authorities in Buenos have expressed an intention to oblige bettors to register a credit card for paying taxes and fees when they gain any winnings.

Neither of the laws and regulations in Argentina specifically outlines advertising of sports betting. However, we can conclude that only licensed operators are allowed to engage in promotional and marketing activities. The legislative acts that are in force in Buenos Aires require the winnings to be included in the advertising materials and initiatives.

Online Betting Regulatory Body in Argentina

Although being governed on a federal level, Argentina used to have the National Lottery (LNSE) which was responsible for the regulation and monitoring of games of chance throughout the whole country. Many of its powers were transferred to the government of the city of Buenos Aires in 2017 and one year later its existence was terminated by means of a special decree.

Now, each of the 23 provinces plus the city of Buenos Aires has the powers to govern all gambling activities including online sports betting that are carried out on their territory. This means that there are 24 different regulatory bodies in Argentina dealing with online betting.

For the city of Buenos Aires it is Lotería de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires SE and for the Province of Catamarca it is Caja de Prestaciones Sociales de la Provincia de Catamarca. To get any information from any of these institutions you need to speak Spanish or use a translator because neither of their websites is available in a language different from Spanish.

There is also the Association of Argentine State Lotteries (ALEA) that is an industry association but does not have regulatory powers. However, it made an important proposal in July 2021. ALEA urged gaming and betting operators to adopt the new .bet.ar domain names as a tool to combat illegal gambling. As this is a pretty new measure, its effect is yet to be evaluated.

Popular Betting Markets in Argentina

Football

Tennis

Volleyball

Basketball

Soccer almost always appears in the Top 5 of the most popular sports no matter which country we are discussing. When the main theme is Argentina, however, this discipline far surpasses all other sports both in terms of the fanbase it has and the events punters can place their bets on. In two consecutive football generations, there are prominent Argentine players who have glorified the country around the world – Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. Bettors can try to guess the outcome of countless events each week and place all types of bets you can think of.

Although basketball first appeared in the United States, it has gained huge popularity in Argentina. Fortunately for the local fans, the men’s national team is one of the most successful worldwide. It has won the quintuplet crown: FIBA World Cup, Olympic Gold Medal, FIBA Diamond Ball, FIBA AmeriCup, and Pan American Gold Medal. Online sportsbooks feature events from Argentina Basketball League A, Argentina La Liga, the NBA, the NCAA, the Euroleague, and many more.

When talking about sports betting in Argentina, one can never miss horse racing, no matter if in connection with the classic betting on racetracks or via online bookmakers. This discipline has been an unalterable part of the local lifestyle since the end of the 19th century. Nowadays, the top event of the year is the Gran Premio Nacional, which is the equivalent of the Kentucky Derby.

Among the sports with the greatest number of betting markets available is tennis. The four Grand Slam tournaments are featured as well as hundreds of events from ATP, WTA, ITS, and Challenger series.

Having in mind the Argentines are avid fans of many sports, it is not possible to outline all of them within this review. We will only add motorsports to the above shortlist. According to some analysts, it is only soccer that excels it in the hearts of the local sports aficionados. Motorbikes, Formula 1, and speedway, you can find all of them within the online bookies operating on the territory of Argentina.

Argentine Online Betting Bonuses

Promotions

Match Bonus

Free Bets

Enhanced Odds

It is time to turn our attention to one of the most pleasant parts of sports betting – the bonuses. The local legislation has no special provisions regarding the promotional offers, so if online betting is legal in your area, you can enjoy the whole range of enticing bonus offers bookies around the world provide.

Most online bookmakers that accept punters from Argentina greet them with different welcome bonuses. Usually, it is a 50 or 100% bonus up to a certain amount in free bets. Some sportsbooks provide a whole welcome package related to the first three deposits. In order to receive the bonus, punters must first meet a particular wagering requirement (5x, 3x, etc.).
Another common incentive is the refer-a-friend promotion. Usually, there is no limit on how many friends you can refer. You benefit from this type of bonus if your friend sets up an account, makes a deposit, and places a bet within a certain time period.

Regularly using high stakes is stimulated by rebate bonuses. We will give an example. If a punter places bets with a total amount of $2,000 for example within one week, he will be automatically awarded a certain amount in free bets. Some bookies have specific requirements regarding the eligible bet types, so always check terms and conditions before taking part in a promotion.

Major online sportsbooks have loyalty programs intended to please their long-term patrons. These are usually point-based, with punters collecting loyalty points via their real-money betting experience. After reaching a preliminary set level, they can exchange the accumulated comps for different prizes – free bets, enhanced odds, cash amounts, etc.

We advise you to regularly check the promotions section of your online sportsbook. It may have additional offers that are available for a limited time only but to provide you with a significant reward.

Mobile Betting in Argentina

Mobile Play

Download App

Browser In-Play

Download via QR

The advancement of mobile technologies and their presence in our daily lives are ubiquitous. A significant part of online bettors use their smartphones to place bets since this enables them to practice their favorite leisure activity no matter if they are at home, in the office, or on a vacation. There is hardly a modern online bookmaker that has not taken care of on-the-go punters by developing a mobile-friendly sportsbook to serve their needs.

Online bookies in Argentina make no exception to this rule and provide their registered users with different means for a flawless betting experience regardless of the device used. The most common option is a mobile version of the main betting website. In-browser apps are not limited in terms of functionality and features, and usually have no visual differences with the site. The technologies are advanced enough to enable online betting no matter which is your preferred browser.

Some bettors show a preference for downloadable apps. Major betting operators are well aware of this and have developed dedicated mobile applications for Android and iOS devices. Sometimes, although not very often, the app must be downloaded as an apk file directly from the sportsbook’s website. There are technical requirements about the version of the operating system, so check the info prior to downloading.

Popular Betting Banking Methods in Argentina

Bank Transfer

Credit Cards

E-Wallet

Prepaid Cards

Argentina-friendly online sportsbooks accept a wide range of payment methods which is a good move since nowadays punters have diverse preferences.

As soon as you log in and access your cashier, a list of the available deposit and withdrawal options will show up, starting with the commonly used credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) and online bank transfers. Regardless of technological advancement in the payments sector, bank cards still remain a favorite choice of the traditionally minded punters. The only downside is that in some cases withdrawals can take up to 5 days.

Those who want to reveal as little personal data as possible are moving to eWallets. Among the options Argentine bettors have are Skrill and Neteller, which contribute to more flexible transactions and instant deposits. Withdrawals are also possible and you can access your funds in no more than 48 hours.

One of the best options is to top up your account via the prepaid solution Paysafecard. Using it is extremely simple. All you have to do is enter the unique 16-digit code and the money will be immediately added to your balance. This payment method is not suitable for high-stake professional punters, however, since it has lower maximum transaction limits than all other methods.

Although not being popular in all parts of the world, AstroPay has managed to attract a lot of punters residing in Latin America and Asia. An advantage of this payment method is that AstroPay cards can be funded directly with the local currency and can be purchased via the locally used Pagofácil, Cobro Express, Rapipago, and other services. Some bookies support AstroPay withdrawals, but the maximum amount is usually not more than $500.

What to Watch When Picking Argentine Betting Site

Security

Customer Support

Mobile Compatibility

In-Play Betting

Now that we have discussed the basics of online sports betting in Argentina, it is time to find a sportsbook that you will feel comfortable with. If digging up through the countless offers online is not your thing, you may refer to our Top 10 list with the best bookies accepting players from Argentina.

If you prefer, you can do your own research by looking for some key features that will ensure your trouble-free and enjoyable betting experience. The most important thing when betting online is your data and transactions to be strictly protected. This is 100% guaranteed only by bookmakers that hold a valid license issued by a trusted regulatory body. Having in mind, the Argentine gambling legislation is still vague, it would be better if you choose an operator licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority, the UK Gambling Commission, the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, or any other state authority that is experienced in regulating gaming and betting activities.

It’s good to know what payment methods the sportsbook supports before you make a registration. Not all bookies accept deposits in local currencies. The solution they offer is an automatic currency conversion, but sometimes it leads to additional charges. Make sure you have all the info in advance to prevent unpleasant surprises in the future.

It is a good idea to check how the mobile applications behave on your mobile device and if they provide all functionalities needed.

Sports betting is a highly competitive field, so you better pay attention to indicators such as the variety of sports and bet types, the availability of competitive odds, and profitable promotional offers.

10 Best Betting Sites in Argentina

Although living in a country where online sports betting is just on the rise of its legalization, Argentine punters can choose from numerous international betting brands. We have listed the Top 10 online sportsbooks accepting players from the country and providing them with various sports events, bet types, and promotional incentives. We hope you will find this information helpful and will choose the bookmaker that best meets your criteria.

bet365

It is no wonder that bet365 is among the online betting operators with the largest number of registered punters. This bookie has an impressive selection of sports events, bet types, and various permanent and short-term promotions. The ambition of bet365 to serve as many bettors as possible is expressed in the diverse selection of payment methods and accepted currencies.

Punters who choose the bet365 sportsbook can benefit from different bonus features like the soccer bet builder that enables them to combine up to 12 bets. Thanks to the several cash-out options you can track your selections and make a partial or auto-return before the end of a certain event.

For the convenience of users also contributes the fact that they can easily switch between more than 20 languages and 3 odds formats – decimal, fractional, and American.

bet365 Pros

• Multiple payment methods
• A splendid selection of sports
• Live streaming
• Early cash-out feature
• 24/7 customer support

bet365 Cons

• Too strict with sharp bettors
• Verification procedures are time-consuming
• The mobile app lacks some features

22Bet

If you want to dive into an almost limitless variety of sports to bet on, you must definitely try the online sportsbook of 22Bet. You can find everything from soccer, basketball, American football, ice hockey, and tennis to snooker, chess, and curling. We would like to bring forward the eSports and horse racing sections as their coverage surpasses the ones of many other bookies.

Punters who register on 22Bet will enjoy different kinds of promotions including a welcome bonus, reload promotional offers, an accumulator bet boost, and some more. The bookie also has a special treat for active punters when they have a birthday.

22Bet is a mobile-friendly sportsbook available through its main website, as an in-browser application, and as a dedicated app for Android and iOS devices. The bookie has a wonderful live section that features a great number of events in soccer, tennis, basketball, ice hockey, cricket, badminton, etc.

22Bet Pros

• Hundreds of live events every day
• Various promotional offers
• Excellent eSports section
• Dedicated apps for Android and iOS
• Available in 50+ languages

22Bet Cons

• No bet builder feature available
• Withdrawals may take longer than expected
• Replies from customer support are not very quick

Bovada

Bovada is a high-quality online sportsbook that is part of the Bodog betting brand. Bettors can choose between more than 30 sports, with the focus being on basketball, American football, soccer, hockey, and tennis. It features a dark background theme combined with a user-friendly layout. The main page is not flooded with tons of information but provides convenient links to the different sports disciplines as well as the most popular competitions you can bet on.

The help page is conveniently structured and comprises detailed info on most of the topics you can think of. If you have additional questions, you can contact the customer care team by email or live chat. There is also a forum where punters share their opinions and discuss different topics.

The only surprising thing is that although being a global brand, Bovada does not provide a great variety of payment methods. The options you have are bank cards, cryptocurrencies, vouchers, and direct bank transfers. Their availability depends on the country of residence.

Bovada Pros

• Fast withdrawals
• Various bonuses and promotions
• Over 30 sports disciplines
• Separate horse racing section
• Rewards program

Bovada Cons

• Applies transaction fees
• Not many payment methods
• Odds are not the best on the market

RedBet

RedBet is a trustworthy online sportsbook that holds licenses by the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority. It provides diverse betting markets as the soccer section is particularly impressive. For some matches, there are over 400 different bets you can place.

Apart from the usual favorites soccer, tennis, and basketball, RedBet pays attention to niche disciplines like bandy, floorball, water polo, and squash, so it is pretty sure you can find your preferred discipline here.

It makes a good impression that although not having numerous payment options, RedBet supports some strictly local payment methods, which is perceived very well by many bettors. The Help page of the sportsbook is conveniently structured and comprises detailed information regarding most of the issues you can think of. If you don’t find the answers to your questions, you can always start a live chat section, as customer care representatives are available 24/7.

RedBet Pros

• Huge soccer section
• Diverse bet types
• Fast deposits and withdrawals
• Clean and simplified layout
• Available in different languages

RedBet Cons

• No live streaming
• Limited payment methods available
• Too strict at suspending accounts

20Bet

20Bet is quite a new player on the online sports betting market that offers impressive coverage of many sports markets. The sports you can bet on vary between the usual favorites soccer, basketball, tennis, American football, and disciplines like motorsports, snooker, darts, and cycling. The live betting section of 20Bet provides more than 20,000 events each month with a lot of bet types available.

Punters can top up their accounts with a wide range of payment methods. These include Visa, Mastercard debit & credit cards, Neteller, Skrill, ecoPayz, Trustly, AstroPay, etc. As a rule, deposits are instant, while withdrawals may take between 1 and 5 business days depending on the method chosen.

On-the-go punters have at their disposal only the mobile version of the main site since the operator has not developed any dedicated mobile application. Some bonuses may be country-restricted, so always check terms and conditions first.

20Bet Pros

• A diverse selection of sports
• Various bet types available
• Live streaming
• Significant eSports section
• Detailed statistics for each match

20Bet Cons

• No downloadable mobile application
• A long list of restricted countries
• The website is quite slow sometimes

Betway

Betway is one of the biggest online betting platforms holding licenses by the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission. The sportsbook has a diverse sports library and a well-functioning and classy-looking website. Punters from different parts of the world can place their bets on thousands of events from soccer, American football, basketball, ice hockey, horse racing, and many more.

This online bookie accepts a wide range of payment methods ranging between credit and debit cards, different eWallets, online banking services, prepaid cards, as well as several local payment services. Punters can have fun with Betway no matter if they are at home or on the go since the operator has developed dedicated mobile applications for Android and iOS devices.

The sportsbook can be explored in 12 different languages including English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Punters may contact customer support 24/7 via email, live chat, and phone.

Betway Pros

• Modern and intuitive design
• Fast withdrawals
• Different cashout options
• Various bonuses
• Downloadable mobile applications

Betway Cons

• Additional withdrawal charges for some methods
• Slow verification procedures
• The mobile app lacks some features

888sport

888sports is an online sportsbook that enjoys one of the best reputations on the internet. If you choose to bet via this bookie, you will face a great variety both in terms of the sports available and the supported payment methods. The website and the dedicated apps are available in 7 languages – English, Spanish, Finnish, Portuguese, Russian, French, and German.

888sports attracts the attention of many punters due to its diverse promotional offers. When you register at this betting platform, you can benefit from a generous welcome bonus as well as different promotions awarding you free bets and cash prizes. Apart from the main website, the bookie is available as an in-browser application and as a downloadable mobile app for Android and iOS devices.

Punters can place their bets on thousands of events in soccer, basketball, tennis, American football, horse racing, motorsports, and many others. 888sport is one of the eSports fans favorite betting platforms as it features many events from CS:GO, League of Legends, SC2, and Rainbow Six.

888sport Pros

• Various payment methods
• Multiple bonuses and promotions
• Dedicated apps for Android and iOS
• Great horse racing section
• Different language versions of the website

888sport Cons

• Live chat is not 24/7
• Too strict with sharp bettors
• Slow verification procedures

1xBet

The 1xBet sportsbook is an online betting platform for which you will rarely find negative comments across the internet. It has been on the market for more than 10 years and so far has gained a significant base of loyal users.

It would be hard to mention all the disciplines covered, as the sports library of 1xBet is really exhaustive. What is characteristic about this online bookie is that it does not focus on several disciplines but rather tries to provide comprehensive coverage of as many sports as possible. We were impressed by the horse racing section that features events from Argentina, Chile, South Africa, Turkey, France, the UK, etc. There are more than a thousand events in soccer as well as many options in basketball, volleyball, tennis, eSports, etc.

One of the advantages of 1xBet is its great live stream section, which enables punters to watch many events in real-time. The only requirement is to have a valid account. Each sport has a drop-down menu showing the current matches and how much time has passed.

1xBet Pros

• A great variety of sports markets
• Numerous payment methods
• Various promotional offers
• Available in many languages
• Live streaming

1xBet Cons

• Not available in certain countries
• Life chat is slow sometimes
• No local licenses

MansionBet

MansionBet is a safe and reliable sports betting platform providing its users with a wide range of sports to bet on as well as different bonuses and promotions. The main focus is on soccer, horse racing, tennis, basketball, and American football with hundreds of pre-match and in-play events every day. Among the other disciplines, you can find boxing, chess, cricket, darts, motorsports, and many more.

The sportsbook has a varied promotional program that covers a welcome bonus and different promos including free bets, insurances, boosted odds, cashbacks, etc.

Punters can enhance their betting experience by different bonus features like the YourBet that allows the addition of markets to football bets. Another extra feature is the cash-out (full and partial) which helps punters guarantee some profit or limit their eventual losses.

The MansionBet customer support can be reached via email, live chat, and phone. It is not 24/7, however, so check the specific working hours for your country of residence.

MansionBet Pros

• A wide range of betting markets
• Various promotional offers
• Dedicated mobile apps for Android and iOS
• Detailed help information
• Early cashout option

MansionBet Cons

• No live streaming
• Not many payment methods
• A long list of restricted countries

William Hill

William Hill is one of the oldest and trustful sports betting operators that provides punters with a safe betting environment. This online bookmaker is respected for the variety of betting markets it provides, the secured payments, and the professional customer support.

The soccer section impresses with the abundance of bet types for each match. For some events, you can choose between more than 600 betting markets ranging between Match Specials, Goals, Handicaps, Corners, Penalties/Cards, and some more. A unique feature offered by William Hill is called #YourOdds. It allows punters to suggest an offer via Twitter. The bookie then determines a price on the #YourOdds event you have proposed.

As for the payment methods available, punters have no reasons to complain as all popular options are here. Bettors can use credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro), eWallets (Skrill, Neteller, etc.), as well as different online banking methods, and prepaid cards. The most accurate information is present in the cashier section of your account.

William Hill Pros

• More than 30 sports
• Multiple bet types
• Comprehensive statistics information
• User-friendly bet slip
• Downloadable mobile applications

William Hill Cons

• Limited bonus offers
• Slow verification procedures
• Temporary technical problems of the app