Uruguay Launches Gambling Chamber to Boost Investment

Uruguay has launched an industry chamber to support the government in fostering economic growth and investment within the gambling sector, part of President Yamandú Orsi’s push to modernise national gambling laws.

The newly formed Uruguay Chamber of Casino Service Operators and Investors will serve as a collaborative platform between key concession-holders and the Frente Amplio (FA) administration. Members include major operators such as Grupo Codere, Baluma S.A. (Enjoy Punta del Este), Compañía Rioplatense de Hoteles (Radisson Montevideo Victoria Plaza), Manteo S.A. (Hotel Casino Rivera), Naranpark S.A. (Salto Hotel Casino) and Mirador Campero S.A. (Hotel Santa Cristina).

Luis Alberto Gama Hernández, former General Manager of the Directorate of Lotteries and Quinielas, has been appointed Executive Secretary. The Chamber will advise on investments across casinos, online gambling, sports betting, bingo, instant-win games and gaming halls, aiming to provide a “technical, organised and representative voice” for the sector.

Its mandate includes harmonising concession rules, strengthening regulatory oversight, ensuring international-standard responsible gambling practices, and supporting a modern, investment-friendly framework. The Chamber’s formation comes amid ongoing parliamentary debate over a proposed online gaming bill that would introduce a state-operated platform with limited private participation.

Industry experts describe the move as a pivotal moment for Uruguay, where private-sector investment is accelerating but regulatory fragmentation remains a challenge compared with regional peers such as Argentina, Brazil and Chile. The Chamber is expected to influence whether the government adopts a fully state-led system, a hybrid approach, or an open, investment-driven model aligned with Uruguay’s economic and sector growth ambitions.