Uruguay’s Chamber of Operators and Lessors of Casino and Entertainment Hall Services (CUOASEC) has submitted a bill to the Executive Branch to regulate online gambling, according to the industry body, which was established at the end of November 2025.
The bill would require state authorisation for all online gambling activities and allow only licensed operators under regulatory oversight. It would also restrict unauthorised providers.
CUOASEC outlined three measures to combat illegal gambling: blocking unauthorised platforms, creating an exclusive “.bet.uy” domain to identify licensed operators, and establishing a National User Registry. The chamber said online gambling should be governed by legislation that defines the State’s authority and enables effective operational supervision.
According to CUOASEC, illegal gambling facilitates tax evasion and creates unfair competition for authorised casinos. It also said players using unauthorised platforms have no guarantee of transparency.
The bill also covers the traceability of operations, personal data protection, prevention of gambling addiction, money laundering, cybersecurity requirements, player self-exclusion mechanisms, and a sanctions regime. CUOASEC said the framework would bring Uruguayan legislation in line with international standards.
Under the proposed framework, online gambling would be linked to operators already authorised to operate land-based venues. Online casino licences would therefore be reserved for companies currently operating land-based casinos in Uruguay, which are also the companies represented by CUOASEC.
The Executive Branch is now responsible for the next step after receiving the proposal, although CUOASEC did not specify when it was submitted. Requirements for obtaining a licence, the role of land-based casinos in the online market, taxes, and the use of proceeds would be determined later.
CUOASEC was established in late November 2025 while the Executive Branch was reviewing online casino regulation and the status of land-based slot machines. Its founding members include Codere, which operates Maroñas, and Baluma S.A., owner of Enjoy Punta del Este.
Its executive secretary, Luis Gama, previously headed Loterías y Quinielas, the Ministry of Economy’s body that regulates land-based casinos and online sports betting, from 2012 to 2020 before moving into private consultancy.
When CUOASEC was established, Gama said the chamber sought to “consolidate an industry voice capable of engaging with the State”.
Uruguay currently maintains a state monopoly on online gambling. Online sports betting is legal only through Supermatch, while private operators are prohibited from offering online casino games.
A bill approved by the Senate in August 2022 has yet to be considered by the Chamber of Deputies.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2026/08/21/126023-uruguay-casino-operators-propose-bill-to-legalise-and-regulate-online-gambling
