iGaming in Argentina: Penetration to Double by 2028, 4x Faster Than South America
iGaming in Argentina market is lively, fast-growing, and strongly influenced by local culture, shifting regulations, and cutting-edge technology with both casino and sportsbook software for Argentina. Football is considered to be one of the most popular sports activities there that can't but lead to sports betting with matches drawing massive attention and engagement. However, online casinos are very engaging among the residents, forming a wider market and taking a special place in the industry.
Being one of the leaders in B2B iGaming technology, Atlaslive understands the role of the market and uses fresh insights from Statista to examine Argentina more closely. This analysis reveals the current conditions of the market, uncovers emerging trends, and looks into ongoing challenges. It also demonstrates how Atlaslive’s dynamic iGaming platform is uniquely positioned to use these opportunities and stimulate growth in this exciting market.
Rapid Growth: Online Market Expansion and Revenue Milestones
When it comes to the market, namely iGaming in Argentina, it has experienced impressive revenue growth over recent years. Between 2019 and 2020, revenue soared from $0.3 billion to $0.58 billion — a nearly twofold increase. The pandemic greatly influenced this sharp rise which accelerated the shift to online platforms and boosted digital engagement.
iGaming in Argentina and total revenue
Source: Statista 2024
In this situation, the COVID-19 pandemic served as a turning point for iGaming in Argentina, as the closure of physical casinos and betting shops drove consumers online. This shift marked 2020 as the year online casinos became the focus, turning into the primary revenue driver amid the pandemic.
Even as restrictions eased, the preference for online platforms has endured, reshaping the market. Post-pandemic growth has remained steady, with online sports betting and casinos dictating the pace. The data highlights these two categories as the dominant forces behind Argentina’s online gambling revenue growth, a trend projected to continue from 2017 through 2028. This sustained trend shows the market’s adaptability and optimistic future. This growth reflects the increasing demand for advanced sportsbook and casino software for Argentina, tailored to meet the evolving preferences of players and drive sustained engagement.
iGaming market in Argentina and total revenue by category
Source: Statista 2024
Between 2017 and 2019, the revenue from igaming in Argentina was concentrated in two main categories: online lottery and online sports betting. In 2018, online lottery emerged as the sole contributor to revenue growth, accounting for 100% of the market’s expansion during that period
iGaming market in Argentina an
Source: Statista 2024
The launch of online casinos in 2020 started palpable changes in Argentina’s iGaming market. By the end of the year, they accounted for over 77% of revenue growth, quickly establishing themselves as a favorite among players. Going forward, projections indicate that by 2026, online casinos will contribute more than 53% to revenue growth, with this share expected to continue rising steadily in the years to follow.
iGaming in Argentina and Steady Growth Amid Regional Competition
While the iGaming market in Argentina has shown notable progress, its growth pace lags behind the broader South American region. This gap highlights the untapped potential, offering an opportunity for the market to succeed through more aggressive and innovative growth strategies. By using these opportunities, Argentina could position itself as a stronger player within the regional iGaming surrounding.
iGaming in Argentina in comparison with South America
Source: Statista 2024
ARPU trends in this market reveal shifting consumer preferences and category performance. Online betting in Argentina is not stable all the time and continues to show a steady increase in ARPU, featuring this way its growing popularity and long-term growth potential. Online casinos are also on a steady climb, with ARPU gradually rising despite starting from a smaller base. In contrast, the online lottery’s ARPU peaked during 2018-2019 but has since declined, hinting at market saturation or evolving user behaviors. These trends point out the changing dynamics within the market and areas for strategic focus.
iGaming in Argentina ARPU by category
Source: Statista 2024
The data reveals a concerning trend for the iGaming market in Argentina: while ARPU is steadily increasing, it significantly lags behind the broader South American market, where growth rates are more robust. In 2024, Argentina’s ARPU is 45% lower than the regional average, with the gap widening since 2023.
This slowdown in Argentina’s revenue growth, particularly after 2022, suggests the market may be nearing saturation. Without new strategies to restore progress and enhance player engagement, the country risks falling further behind its regional peers. However, this disparity also shows hidden possibilities to conform Argentina’s ARPU more closely to the regional average through innovative approaches and targeted initiatives.
iGaming in Argentina vs South America ARPU
Source: Statista 2024
Football and Convenience: Shaping the Trends of iGaming in Argentina
Today, many iGaming platforms strive to be user-friendly in terms of convenience and accessibility; this is actually what makes them popular among Argentinian users. The following shift has also been accelerated by improved internet connectivity and widespread smartphone usage that turned mobile gaming to the highest spot. This matches with global trends, where mobile platforms dominate due to their flexibility and ability to respond to on-the-go lifestyles.
Sports betting, particularly on football, is a cornerstone of the iGaming market in Argentina. The nation’s deep-rooted passion for the sport has cemented football betting as a favorite pastime, fueling growth in this segment. As operators continue to roll out advanced and interactive betting features, football’s influence on the market shows no signs of slowing down.
Player Base Growth and Market Saturation Trends
Between 2017 and 2023, the local iGaming market saw a steady increase in its player base, with unique players rising from 2.25 million in 2017 to 3.99 million in 2023. The most dynamic growth occurred from 2019 to 2021, when annual growth rates exceeded 10%, peaking at 11.83% in 2021.
However, starting in 2024, the growth rate began to decelerate greatly. While the number of unique players is expected to reach 5.13 million by 2028, the annual growth rate can potentially drop from 8.40% in 2024 to just 3.18% in 2028. This steady decline in growth rates indicates that the market is approaching saturation, with fewer new players entering each year. These trends emphasize the need for new tech-focused strategies to sustain growth and attract a broader audience in an increasingly mature market.
iGaming in Argentina and total unique players
Source: Statista 2024
Between 2017 and 2021, the market experienced a period of rapid expansion, driven by accelerating player growth. However, the slowing growth rates from 2024 onward indicate a move toward market maturity, as the influx of new users begins to taper off. By 2028, the market is expected to surpass 5 million unique players, but the declining growth rates pose challenges to maintaining progress.
To counteract this slowdown, operators may need to explore untapped markets, refine retention strategies, or introduce innovative products to appeal to a wider audience.
Despite these challenges, the iGaming market in Argentina remains robust, with all three key categories — online casinos, online sports betting, and online lottery — showing positive growth in player numbers. Online casinos continue to lead, enjoying an expanding user base, while online betting in Argentina is rapidly advancing steadily and enriching its market presence. The online lottery, though smaller in scale, maintains consistent growth, demonstrating its enduring appeal. These trends reflect a thriving iGaming ecosystem that offers opportunities for operators willing to adapt and innovate.
iGaming in Argentina and players by category
Source: Statista 2024
The chart illustrates the growing popularity of iGaming categories in the country. Online Casinos dominate in market penetration, securing their position as the most favored segment among players. Online sports betting in Argentina is closing the gap quickly, driven by increasing interest and engagement. Meanwhile, the online lottery, though the smallest category, continues to achieve steady growth, showing its lasting appeal and gradual market expansion. These trends reflect the broadening reach of online gaming across diverse player preferences in Argentina.
iGaming in Argentina and penetration rate by category
Source: Statista 2024
The data reflects a consistent and broadening adoption of iGaming among Argentina’s population. In 2017, the overall penetration rate for all categories began at 4.67% for online casinos, 2.35% for online sports betting, and 0.30% for online lottery. By 2028, these figures are projected to reach 7.71%, 4.90%, and 2.56%, respectively, the market has more than doubled its reach, highlighting a significant expansion over the years. The growth trajectory is smooth and uninterrupted, emphasizing a steady rise in market penetration. This upward trend signals a robust and evolving iGaming market in Argentina, with all categories contributing positively to its dynamics.
iGaming market in Argentina vs South America total penetration rate
Source: Statista 2024
While South America as a whole has experienced sustained growth in iGaming penetration, it continues to trail far behind Argentina. Starting from a lower base of 1.19% in 2017 and reaching 2.46% by 2028, the region’s growth rate matches Argentina’s pace but leaves a substantial gap. Argentina’s penetration rate, 4.3 times higher than South America’s in 2017 (5.12% vs. 1.19%), will maintain this lead with over 8 percentage points separating them in 2028.
This consistent outperformance positions Argentina as one of the leading markets within South America, offering more mature and potentially lucrative opportunities for iGaming operators. Companies might benefit from focusing their efforts and resources on Argentina to use its high penetration and established player base. At the same time, the broader South American market presents unrealized advantages, calling for fresh strategies in tech development to drive engagement and increase penetration across the region.
Empowering South America’s iGaming Growth with Atlaslive Dynamic Platform
Argentina’s iGaming market is ready for lasting development, sparked by technological progress and evolving consumer preferences. However, as the broader South American market picks up pace, operators face the challenge of bridging growth disparities and unlocking the region’s full potential.
Atlaslive rises to this challenge with a platform developed in-house to deliver exceptional performance and market-specific solutions. Renowned for its speed, scalability, and reliability, the Atlaslive Platform offers perfect flexibility, enabling swift adjustments and customizations to meet the diverse needs of any market.
Key innovations, such as the Atlaslive Bet Builder feature, allow users to create personalized bets across multiple markets within a single event, driving engagement and enhancing the user experience. By integrating gamification features and an expanded portfolio of casino games and betting options, the platform helps operators attract new players and retain existing ones, fostering long-term growth.
Customization is at the core of Atlaslive’s approach, allowing partners to craft tailored bonuses and user-specific betting experiences that exceed expectations. With its focus on dynamic, real-time adaptability, Atlaslive remains a pivotal player in the market of iGaming in Argentina and a boost for broader growth across South America. By fulfilling the partner's needs and anticipating market demands, Atlaslive ensures its solutions remain both innovative and impactful.