The Provincial Institute of Games and Casinos (IPJyC) of Mendoza took a significant step in the prevention of problem gambling. Through a resolution published in the Official Gazette, the agency approved the modification of the Unified Self-Exclusion Registry (RUAM), enabling a completely remote mechanism so that anyone can request the restriction of their access to online gambling platforms without the need to physically travel to a casino.
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The measure responds to the sustained growth of online betting and the limitations that the previous system imposed on those who play from their homes, especially in areas far from urban centers.
What is RUAM and how the new system works
The Mendoza Unified Self-Exclusion Registry is the official tool through which a person can voluntarily request to be prohibited from accessing physical gambling halls and virtual platforms authorized in the province. With the update approved by the IPJyC, this process can now be carried out in an entirely digital and secure manner, which significantly expands its reach and accessibility for users.
The process was designed to be simple and intuitive, so that any user can complete it without specialized technical assistance. Once the process is finished, the protection takes effect immediately, eliminating the waiting times that characterized the previous face-to-face system.
The backbone of the system is the Comprehensive Facial Recognition System (SIRF), technology that allows for the precise identification of those who have requested self-exclusion and ensures that the measure is effectively applied in both casinos and online betting sites. This technological component is fundamental to prevent self-excluded individuals from bypassing the restriction through the use of false data or alternative identities.
A key advancement for departments far from the capital
The Social Responsibility Management of Games and Casinos highlighted that the new tool will allow anyone, regardless of their geographical location, to exercise their right to self-exclusion. This point is especially significant for residents of departments far from the capital of Mendoza, where physical distance represented a concrete barrier to accessing this public health mechanism.
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With the previous system, those who lived far from authorized casinos had to travel long distances to perform a face-to-face procedure, which in practice discouraged its use and left those who needed it most unprotected. The digitalization of the process eliminates that obstacle at its root and democratizes access to a tool that, until now, was effectively reserved for those with mobility and geographical proximity.
A regulation that replaces the 2021 one
The resolution repeals the regulations in force since 2021 and establishes a more agile regulatory framework adapted to the reality of online gambling. This change responds to the growing digitalization of the sector and the need to update the control and protection mechanisms for users.
The measure came into full effect after its publication in the Official Gazette, consolidating Mendoza as one of the Argentine provinces with the strictest and most modern regulations regarding the prevention of problem gambling. The advancement positions the province as a benchmark within the country regarding the articulation between technology, regulation, and public health.
Mendoza, at the forefront of responsible gambling regulation
Mendoza’s progress is part of a broader regional trend, in which different governments seek to balance the growth of the digital betting market with concrete protection tools for users. Throughout Latin America, regulatory bodies face the challenge of modernizing their regulatory frameworks at the speed imposed by the digital transformation of the sector, which moves billions of dollars a year and continues to grow.
In this scenario, measures such as online self-exclusion not only have a direct impact on the lives of those suffering from gambling-related problems, but also strengthen the credibility and legitimacy of the regulated market in the eyes of the public. An environment where the State demonstrates a real capacity to protect its citizens is also a more attractive environment for operators who bet on legality and regulatory compliance.
