Uruguay casino operators float legal online gambling to lawmakers
Uruguay’s private casino operators have submitted a proposal to the government to legalise and regulate online gambling, potentially opening the country’s online casino market to land-based operators.
The Chamber of Operators and Lessors of Casino and Entertainment Hall Services (CUOASEC) said the proposed framework would require state authorisation for online gambling, with licences reserved for companies already authorised to operate physical casinos in Uruguay.
The proposal includes blocking unlicensed gambling sites, introducing a dedicated “.bet.uy” domain for authorised operators and establishing a National User Registry.
It also proposes player self-exclusion measures, cybersecurity and data protection requirements, transaction monitoring and controls targeting money laundering and gambling harm.
Uruguay currently prohibits private online casino gambling, including online slots, roulette and poker. The government already has legal powers to block unauthorised gambling websites and associated payment flows.
The latest proposal from the private casinos is part of the consultation period with Uruguayan lawmakers preparing to reform and modernise the gambling laws in the country
CUOASEC members include major land-based casino operators Codere and Enjoy Punta del Este.
