A setback in Buenos Aires’ lockdown forces lotteries to close again

Buenos Aires has decided to go back to the phase 1 of its reopening process, due to a surge of infections of COVID-19. Given these new rules, the province has been forced to abide by the new regulations, which establish that most lottery agencies must shut down again.

The Provincial Institute of Lottery and Casinos (IPLyC) announced in a statement that the activity will be restricted in 35 municipalities of Buenos Aires.

It read: “According to the issuance of Decree No. 576/2020 (Chapter II) by which the validity of Decree No. 297/20 establishes ‘social, preventive and mandatory isolation’, the quarantine is extended from July 1 to July 17, 2020, and in view of the provisions of article No. 12, which includes the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA), the IPLyC informs that 35 agencies won’t be able to operate.”

The jurisdictions that are exempt of this new rule can still operate, but under strict sanitary protocols set by the Ministry of Health.

The lottery agencies in the province of Buenos Aires reopened on May 29, with the requirement to comply with the ‘Safety, Hygiene and Health Protocol’ approved by resolution No. 68/2020 of the IPLyC.

Last week, the President of the Chamber of Official Agents of Lottery and Related from Buenos Aires (CAOLAB), Marcelo Iglesias, proposed that they allow activity in areas where there are no infections to ‘form a financial aid fund for those that must close, and in the event that the above is not possible, the system of raffles continues to be offered in order to opt for commercialisation of the same under the format of delivery, take away, or similar’.

He concluded: “The most important thing is to highlight the character of Lottery Agencies in raising funds that go directly to the tax coffers and that are so necessary in these times of economic tribulation, given that they generate legitimate resources that are destined for the well-being of Buenos Aires citizens in general, since they provide direct and indirect sources of work, constituting a sales network that expands economic activity towards an even greater universe.”