A woman from Gualeguaychú claims to have won a prize of over USD 100,000 after betting on a fraudulent platform.
Argentina.- After the news that a woman had been scammed after betting on an unlicensed online betting site, the Institute of Financial Assistance for Social Action (IAFAS) of Entre Ríos warned players about the risks of betting on these unregulated sites.
A woman from Gualeguaychú, Entre Ríos province, claims to have won AR$103m (USD 103,000) on an online betting platform, but reports that she never received the prize. Not receiving the payment, she considered that she had been scammed.
The bet was made on an illegal platform, where the woman bet AR$10,000 (USD 10). Her balance quickly reached an astonishing USD $103m (USD 103,000). The complainant said she contacted "the cashier from Gualeguaychú", who was in charge of managing the payments, who explained that the money would be transferred in installments of AR$1m (USD 1000) per day, due to operational limitations.
However, according to María, the complainant, they initially offered her AR$5m (USD 5000) and then AR$10m (USD 10,000) as a single payment, but she rejected both offers, insisting on receiving the full amount. As an advance, she received AR$1m (USD 1000) but the platform later claimed that there was a "betting limit" that invalidated her winnings.
In an interview with local media, the victim also suspects that the prize was collected by another person, as it appears as "paid" in the system, although she never received the money.
Following this incident, IAFAS explained that illegal gambling operates from clandestinity and approaches bettors through cashiers. "All links in the chain are committing a criminal offense, since in Argentina, bets can only be offered by the State Lotteries, backed by each of them and with clear and transparent rules," they detailed in a statement.
They added: "In Entre Ríos, IAFAS is the only body that can offer gambling, whether physical or online, officially and legally. Their proposals reach the public through the network of official agencies; the nine casinos and 22 entertainment rooms; and the online platform www.iafasplay.bet.ar".
See also: Workers of gaming rooms and casinos in Entre Ríos demand the prompt election of a worker director and improvement of working conditions
Finally, in order to combat illegal gambling and prevent more people from Entre Ríos from falling into scams, IAFAS invited to report clandestine gaming practices through the free and anonymous telephone line, by Whatsapp message, or via the official page, completing the corresponding form.
In November 2024, the commissions of Public Health; Social Development; and Education, Science and Technology, of the Chamber of Deputies of Entre Ríos, met to continue with the unification of four projects related to the regulation of online betting games.
