La Banca Warns of Social-Media Identity Fraud
Uruguay.- 29 July 2026 www.zonadeazar.com Uruguay’s La Banca de Quinielas has issued a warning over fraudulent advertisements circulating on Facebook and Instagram that unlawfully used its identity to promote an unauthorised online casino under the name “La Banca Casino”.
The posts reproduced the organisation’s name, logo and images of its retail locations while advertising non-existent prizes and displaying fabricated testimonials from supposed winners.
News Details
The advertisements were designed to redirect users through embedded links to illegal gambling platforms. La Banca clarified that no website, application or social-media account using the “La Banca Casino” name forms part of its authorised offering.
Customers were advised not to download applications, provide personal or banking information or transfer money through platforms outside the organisation’s official domains: labanca.com.uy, supermatch.com.uy and raspadita.com.uy.
La Banca has already contacted technology companies and the relevant authorities to request the removal of the advertisements, accounts and other material using its identity without permission.
Industry Context
The case emerged shortly after the launch of the institutional campaign “Al juego ilegal le decimos: NO HAY CHANCE”, which seeks to educate consumers about the risks of unregulated online gambling platforms and the methods used by illegal operators to attract customers.
Uruguay’s National Directorate of Lotteries and Quinielas has also introduced artificial-intelligence tools to monitor websites and social-media channels continuously, identify illegal operators and detect content promoting unauthorised gambling.
The authorities reported that approximately 2,000 illegal betting websites had already been identified and blocked. Digital monitoring has also helped locate physical establishments connected with unauthorised gambling activity.
Statements
National Directorate of Lotteries and Quinielas Director Marcelo Visconti said the authorities’ primary concern extended beyond lost tax revenue to the broader consequences created by the illegal use of gambling platforms.
La Banca’s warning emphasised that users should verify the authenticity of domains and communication channels before supplying data, downloading applications or making financial transactions.
Next Steps or Impact
La Banca will continue working with digital platforms to remove fraudulent material and restrict the ability of those responsible to reuse its brand in future campaigns.
The case reinforces the need to combine automated monitoring, cooperation with social networks, website blocking and consumer education.
The impersonation of recognised brands creates an additional risk for the regulated sector by exposing consumers to financial losses, personal-data theft and confusion between licensed services and illegal platforms.
Edited by: @_fonta
