Entre Ríos Bars Child Support Debtors from Casinos

Argentina’s Entre Ríos province has approved legislation prohibiting people listed in its Child Support Debtors Register from entering casinos, gambling establishments and certain paid cultural and sporting events.

The provincial Senate gave final approval to amendments to Law No. 9,424, which created the Register of Child Support Debtors in August 2002. The proposal was introduced by provincial deputy Lorenza Arrozogaray and aims to strengthen the enforcement of child support obligations.

The restrictions will be introduced gradually, with implementation involving the provincial gambling regulator, the Institute of Aid and Social Action of Entre Ríos (IAFAS), and the authorities responsible for maintaining the register.

New Rules Extend Restrictions Beyond Gambling Venues

Under the amended legislation, casinos and other gambling establishments in Entre Ríos will be prohibited from admitting individuals included on the provincial register. The restrictions will also cover paid cultural and sporting events.

Arrozogaray stressed that the measure is not designed to penalise people facing temporary financial difficulties. Speaking to Argentine media outlet El Once, she said:

“This law is not intended to punish or pursue those who, for a temporary reason, have lost their jobs.”

However, the deputy argued that personal spending should reflect the legal responsibility to provide for children.

“Leisure cannot come before responsibility toward children. If there are resources to pay for an entrance ticket, attend a show or visit a gambling venue, what children need cannot be relegated to a lower priority.”

Criteria for Inclusion on the Debtors Register

According to Arrozogaray, a person may be classified as a delinquent child support debtor after missing five consecutive payments or three non-consecutive payments.

She also highlighted that child support responsibilities extend beyond providing food. They include clothing, education, housing and other essential requirements for a child’s development.

The initiative was partly prompted by mothers who reported that individuals failing to pay child support continued to attend entertainment events, casinos and gambling venues. They called for stronger enforcement measures beyond simply recording the names of those in arrears.

Arrozogaray, who represents Gualeguaychú as a provincial deputy, said:

“This demand also came from mothers. I am a provincial deputy for Gualeguaychú and they told me they needed child support payments to be enforced, beyond simply having the debtor listed in the register.”

The Entre Ríos register currently contains approximately 700 names, although the list is regularly updated as new information becomes available, she added.

Similar Measures Proposed Elsewhere in Argentina

Entre Ríos is part of a broader effort across Argentina to restrict access to gambling for individuals who fail to meet child support obligations.

In Buenos Aires Province, deputy Viviana Guzzo has introduced a bill seeking to prevent registered debtors from placing bets through online gambling platforms.

The proposal would amend Law No. 15,079, which regulates online gambling in the province, and Law No. 13,074, governing the child support debtors register. The proposed restrictions would also affect access to certain banking procedures, public bank loans, financing programmes, subsidies, concessions, permits and public tenders.

Meanwhile, the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (CABA) has already introduced laws prohibiting registered child support debtors from gambling or operating online gambling websites.

The measures reflect a wider effort in Argentina to connect compliance with family support obligations to access to gambling services and other activities.

Under the newly approved Entre Ríos legislation, the gradual rollout will require cooperation between IAFAS, the authorities maintaining the register, gambling establishments and organisers of paid public events.