New bill seeks to legalise online gambling in Uruguay

Uruguay’s Ministry of Economy (MEF) has submitted a new bill to the country’s parliament which could see the legalisation of online gambling.

With the proposal originating from the president’s office, the proposed legislation would empower the national regulator-cum-operator, the Dirección General de Casinos, to directly offer online gambling and would also authorise it for existing land-based licensees.

The text of the bill says it aims to address the “recent growth in prominence of igaming, which will surely continue to increase in the future”.

Media reports suggest that the new legislation may open the door for Giuseppe Cipriani’s casino resort development in Punta del Este to move forward. The planned $450m Cipriani Ocean Resort and Club Residences - Punta del Este will see the redevelopment of the former San Rafael hotel site in the popular seaside resort.

In conversation with president Tabaré Vázquez, Cipriani is said to have expressed interest in offering online gaming, in addition to landbased gambling at the planned casino resort.