Wire SOUTH AMERICA
Smart Payment Solutions for Peru
CHILE – Betsson Group announced that it has become the sponsor of the Chilean First Division football league. The league will now be officially known as the Campeonato Betsson from now on. However, immediately after the announcement, Deputy Marco Antonio Sulantay, who is promoting a sports betting ban on advertising in football, said that the agreement was illegal.
In December, The Chamber of Deputies unanimously approved Deputy Marco Sulantay’s ban on the advertising of sports betting. The ban was approved in general terms with 118 votes in favour, one against and three abstentions. The project proposes the prohibition of any contract between online betting platforms with sports organizations, whether professionals, clubs, associations, foundations, federations and others. The initiative establishes sanctions such as fines for offenders.
Another article of the initiative prohibits the advertising and sponsorship of the platforms in relation to sport, “whatever the medium or support by which it is transmitted or published, and whatever the time or event in which it is advertised or sponsored.” In addition, it prohibits the advertising of these platforms via jersey sponsorships and in any sports venue.
URUGUAY- The Secretary of the Presidency of Uruguay announced the construction of a new US$22m hotel and casino in the city of Paysandú. The venture, funded by Argentine investors, is scheduled to open next year. The announcement was made by the Secretary of the Presidency of Uruguay, Álvaro Delgado, together with the mayor of Paysandú, Nicolás Olivera. The terms and conditions for the casino tender, which will be operated privately, will be announced shortly according to the mayor.
PARAGUAY – The National Competition Commission (Conacom) has recommended that the government review Paraguay’s gambling law because it allowed for licencees to hold a monopoly over instants, pools, sportsbetting and casinos.
Conacom concluded that Law No. 1016/97 established regulatory barriers to competition by establishing the right of exclusivity in the running of certain games of chance for operators and by establishing geographic barriers when it comes to where operations such as bingo halls may be constructed.
The institution studied Paraguayan gambling legislation and compared it to examples of other countries in order to come up with an opinion. It concluded that competition within the industry should be encouraged.
P14 WIRE / PULSE / INSIGHT / REPORTS
AstroPay introduces Visa prepaid card in Peru as part of the business’ wider ambitions to empower international customers.
AstroPay has launced a Visa prepaid card in Peru issued by Tebca Perú that allows users to make purchases at any e-commerce store that accepts Visa. Te launch is part of the company’s growth plans and ambition to empower customers – especially those without a bank account – to access the digital economy and engage in online transactions.
AstroPay launched the Visa debit card issued by Tebca Perú, for their existing and new users offering a very simple, secure and convenient experience to enter the financial system. Tey will be able to activate and use the prepaid card instantly without any charge, pay in any online merchant that accepts Visa, and the card also comes with benefits including cashback.
Peru is a key target for AstroPay due to the rapid growth and developments in the payments sector. Tere is also a wide acceptance of Visa in the country. Te Visa prepaid card will allow users to shop on any site that accepts VISA across the globe and users will be able to pay in both American dollars and Peruvian Soles.
AstroPay plans to expand its prepaid card product across a range of territories, having
previously launched this product in the UK, now Peru – their next objective will be to expand across the rest of Latin America, targeting Brazil, Mexico and Argentina.
Guillermo Dotta, CTO and CPO of AstroPay, said: “Standing on our existing operations in the country, we are not only offering our existing and new users a simpler experience with their finances but also creating a frictionless experience for unbanked customers looking to enter the financial system.”
Gilberto Chaparro, General Manager for Visa Peru, said: "At Visa, we work with fintechs around the world to transform the digital payments industry and offer more and more people and businesses the benefits of digitalization. We celebrate our work with AstroPay, with whom we developed a solution that will enable more Peruvians to have access to fast, secure and convenient payments.
“Likewise, the creation and implementation of innovative payment solutions, hand in hand with fintechs, allows us to contribute to the development of a more inclusive economy in the country.”
Mexico Sudden boom in Illegal casinos in Tamaulipas
Te Federation of Chambers of Commerce (FECANACO) in the north-eastern state of Tamaulipas reported a proliferation of illegal casinos in the first 10 days of this year on the border with the US. Tey demand that the government investigate the situation before it expands even further.
Carlos Muñoz González, Vice President for FECANACO security in that state, said that in at least four cities in northern Tamaulipas, unregulated betting houses were found to be operating illegally. He says that the sharp rise in illegal gambling will have a negative effect on the regulated sector which generates jobs and taxes.
“Since the beginning of the year, a disproportionate growth of illegal casinos has been detected, mainly
in the municipalities of Valle Hermoso, San Fernando, Matamoros and Miguel Alemán, which operate and grow without control in Tamaulipas and harm the legal industry that pays taxes and generates jobs,” he said.
Te state had been plagued by crime related violence over the years and regularly makes headlines. In March 2022 Te U.S. Department of State reissued a warning not to travel to Tamaulipas due to crime and kidnapping.
In its updated advisory, the DoS said it authorised the departure of non-emergency US government personnel and eligible family members from the US Consulate General in Nuevo Laredo due to security conditions.
Chile
Te Municipality of Concepción has initiated court injunctions against illegal slot parlours. In October, officials initiated complaints against five establishments, but this has since increased to 15 with the matter now awaiting a court decision . Concepción has since suspended permits and closed slot parlours. Deputy Mayor, Aldo Mardones, explained that after their prohibition a number of seals preventing entry were broken – which is a crime according to Mardones. Tere have been government initiatives for over a decade that have sought to ban so called ‘neighbourhood slots’ which have grown quickly as local governments have not drawn a clear line between slot machines and Skill with Prizes Machines. However local governments are finally cracking down.
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