opposition parties and the church, the Governor of Buenos Aires province, María Eugenia Vidal, decided to reverse her decision to allow instant Quiniela, which would have been available in 4,000 betting agencies.
In 2019, the church again protested against gambling, arguing that a much wider debate should have been held on the issue of online gambling before gambling laws were passed in the province of Buenos Aires, and argued that the new gaming policy amounted to a government about face. It also criticised the rapid expansion of all gambling around the country and online gambling in particular.
The pandemic has led to even more criticism from the church with leaders arguing that now is not the time to allow for an online expansion. In September 2020, the archdiocese of the city of
Buenos Aires sent a letter to the government stating its opposition to the online gambling bill, arguing that it would allow every house to potentially become a casino.
The church, albeit behind the scenes, is playing a crucial role in gaming policy in Mexico. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has announced that during his six-year term, no new licences will be granted to open any new casinos in Mexico. The end of the licences for new gambling operations is part of a gesture to Cardinal Rogelio Cabrera, current head of the Mexican Episcopate.
The Catholic Church has repeatedly requested that new casino openings be prevented after the Casino Royale tragedy, when a group of armed men attacked and then set fire to a licensed casino in Monterrey leaving 52 people dead in
2011. The decision was relayed to high ranking members of the gaming industry in a meeting by Julio Scherer, legal advisor of the Presidency.
Overall, the rise of evangelical churches is a distinct shift to the right and the adoption of conservative values in the region. The impact of COVID-19 will mean that governments will need to find ways to raise funds and this could lead to attempts to liberalise some markets, especially online markets. However, the church will continue to oppose any kind of expansion and play a crucial role in shaping gambling policy throughout Latin America. While poverty and social conditions worsen, the evangelical church will continue to rise in popularity and its influence will be felt increasingly as its members seek to change public policy. This is already happening in Brazil. Other jurisdictions in Latin America will follow.
WIRE / PULSE / INSIGHT / REPORTS P27
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