Chaco Restricts Credit Access for People Affected by Gambling Harm
Argentina.- 18 August 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com The Chamber of Deputies of Chaco has approved a Solvency Protection and Problematic Consumption Over-Indebtedness Prevention Regime, designed to protect the assets and socioeconomic stability of people experiencing problematic consumption, including gambling-related harm.
The new legislation introduces temporary restrictions on access to credit cards, loans and other financial products where further borrowing could deepen a person’s financial vulnerability.
Credit Access Restrictions
The bill, promoted by legislator Santiago Pérez Pons, creates mechanisms to temporarily limit access to financial products where borrowing could affect an individual’s physical, psychological, social, economic or family wellbeing.
The legislation applies to banks, credit-card issuers, mutual organisations, non-bank lenders and fintech businesses operating in the province.
Provincial Protection Register
A central element of the law is the creation of a Provincial Protection Register (RPP).
The database will be free and confidential and will identify individuals subject to financial restrictions.
Registration can take place in two ways:
- Voluntarily, through self-exclusion.
- Through a court order requested by a spouse, cohabiting partner or direct family members up to the fourth degree of consanguinity.
Voluntary registration will remain in force for a minimum of one year.
Full or Partial Financial Blocking
Once registered, an individual may be subject to either full or partial financial restrictions.
Under a partial restriction, certain transactions will require approval from a designated support person.
To protect privacy, the system will issue only an automated “eligible” or “not eligible” response, without disclosing medical information or details regarding the individual’s condition.
Mandatory Checks for Banks and Fintechs
Financial entities will be required to consult the RPP before approving loans, cash advances, credit-limit increases or other products covered by the legislation.
The requirement explicitly includes businesses that rely on ID scanning or biometric data as their only validation mechanism.
The measure is designed to prevent companies from claiming ignorance or automated processing errors when credit is granted to a protected individual.
Financial Penalties
The legislation establishes sanctions for financial institutions that provide credit to individuals listed in the register.
Penalties include:
- Loss of the right to collect interest, commissions, insurance and other associated charges.
- Recovery of only the nominal capital originally provided.
- Fines of up to ten times the value of the credit granted.
Revenue generated through these penalties will be directed towards Chaco’s provincial network for the treatment of problematic consumption.
Public List of Repeat Offenders
Banks, fintechs and other entities that repeatedly breach the rules may be included in a public list of offenders on the provincial Government’s official website.
The measure adds a reputational consequence to the financial sanctions included in the regime.
Advertising of Financial Products
The law also introduces an absolute prohibition on advertising loans and financial products near gaming halls, casinos and rehabilitation centres.
The restriction extends to digital environments, apps and social media where advertising may encourage problematic consumption.
Statements
Santiago Pérez Pons said access to credit is a right but should not become a mechanism that intensifies vulnerability and causes financial and family harm.
He argued that the legislation requires the provincial Government to impose meaningful limits on abusive financial practices while strengthening protection for people experiencing problematic consumption.
Next Steps or Impact
Implementing the Provincial Protection Register will be one of the key steps required to make the new regime operational.
Banks, fintechs and other covered businesses will need to adapt their systems so that register checks take place before financial products are approved.
The initiative places Chaco within the broader debate around the relationship between credit, over-indebtedness and gambling harm by incorporating specific financial safeguards into prevention policy.
Editó: @fonta
