A group of opposition parliamentarians demanded the immediate delivery of funds and submitted a request for information to investigate the use of these revenues by the provincial government.
Argentina.- The controversy over the alleged diversion of funds intended for horse racing activities in the province of Buenos Aires has escalated to a new level. A group of provincial legislators from La Libertad Avanza (LLA) submitted a request for information to the government of Axel Kicillof, denouncing the retention of more than AR$ 2.600m (USD 2.5m) corresponding to the Provincial Gaming Fund (FO.PRO.JUE), which by law must be allocated to support the racecourses of Buenos Aires.
The complaint was driven after the presentation made by the Association of Racehorse Owners before the court, accusing the Minister of Economy, Pablo López, of not transferring the funds corresponding to the months of September, October, November, and December of 2024. This situation, according to the complainants, puts the continuity of horse racing activities in the province at serious risk and directly affects thousands of families dependent on the sector.
The libertarian legislators, led by Sergio Vargas, demanded that the provincial government provide detailed explanations about the destination of these funds and ensure the immediate transfer of the amounts owed. They also requested information about the controls and audits carried out on the management of these resources, as well as about the existence of internal investigations in the Ministry of Economy.
«The undue retention of these funds is a low blow to the turf sector, which was already facing difficulties. Thousands of families are affected by this situation», stated Vargas.
The breakdown of the amounts owed, according to the complaint raised by the Association of Racehorse Owners is as follows:
See also: Labor improvements for casino workers in Buenos Aires: what is the commitment adopted by the government
The crisis in the Buenos Aires turf sector has worsened in recent months, with protests and clashes between different sectors of the activity. The lack of funds has created a climate of uncertainty and has endangered the holding of races at the racecourses of La Plata, San Isidro, Dolores, Azul, and Tandil.
