Senate passed bill that regulates online gambling in Uruguay

The first condition is that only face-to-face casinos can operate online gaming, although there is an exception in an article that "is thinking of Cipriani and future ciprianis (sic)", said the senator of the National Party Jorge Gandini after the vote.

This article includes those who have an investment plan that includes a face-to-face casino like the one planned by Cipriani. "When they are authorized, they will be able to have the authorization to operate online casinos, although they will not be able to use it until the investment is completed," Gandini explained.

He added by way of example - again mentioning the project that Giuseppe Cipriani intends to develop on the grounds of the former San Rafael hotel in Punta del Este - that they can propose a business plan, look for investors and have a license to exploit online games.

However, the bill approved unanimously in the Upper House makes it clear that if for any reason that company stops operating the face-to-face casino, "the authorization for online gambling automatically falls," said Mario Bergara.

The Finance Commission of the Chamber of Senators, meeting on Thursday, August 11, had already voted favorably on this bill with some modifications that the plenary expected during the session held on Tuesday and that barely contemplated what was already mentioned.

The Executive Power, in exercise of its exclusive competence, “may authorize in a prior, precarious and revocable manner, the provision of the activity referred to in the first paragraph to casino gaming concessionaires in person or to those who hold said enabling title in the future…".

However, the authorization will be conditioned to the fulfillment of several requirements: to having an operational face-to-face establishment and enabled for face-to-face gaming, and that the requirements established by the regulations and the provisions of the Concession Contract are met.

Likewise, it is established that, "those who in the future acquire the quality of concessionaires of casino games in the face-to-face modality, will be able to access an authorization for the exploitation of said games under the 'online' modality, prior to the investment."

Likewise, it was established that the authorization of the Executive Power will cease automatically if the concessionaire ceases to exploit face-to-face gaming, which clearly means that the exploitation of online games can only be carried out by public or private entities physically established.

Another aspect contemplated has to do with the creation of a fund for the attention, treatment and prevention of gambling, which will be made up of: 5% of the gross profit obtained by the Casino Directorate for the exploitation of the online modality, and with the proceeds from fines.