Mayor Mauricio Macri has submitted plans to claim a higher proportion of gambling revenues from Buenos Aires’ racetrack and floating casinos for the municipal government in a move likely to fuel further speculation surrounding racetrack operations inside and outside of the city.

Political attacks focusing on the relationship between local gambling interests and Argentina’s former president Nestor Kirchner have caused two major expanded gambling initiatives in the greater Buenos Aires area to be shelved as lawmakers instead approve new taxes on gambling revenues in the Argentine capital.

Last week, Mario Das Neves, Governor of the Argentine Province of Chubut, announced a 120 percent increase on fees levied over gaming businesses operating within Chubut. The Governor’s announcement has led several political leaders in Argentina to request a general tax hike for the gaming industry across the country – sparking concern amongst operators in Argentina’s booming gambling market.

Boasting the third largest Spanish-speaking gaming market in the world, Argentina is regarded as a key market for international gambling operators seeking to break into South America.

The gaming authority in Buenos Aires will issue new licences for bingo halls and online sports betting, as well as authorizing the installation of thousands of new slot machines in the province, if a proposal already circulating among members of the provincial legislature is formally adopted by politicians.

Politicians in Buenos Aires are set to vote this week on two separate measures that are set to dramatically expand gambling in Argentina’s capital city and in the wider provincial area. If passed, observers believe significant new opportunities should emerge for online gaming operators, with new slot machines also set to be approved as local governments look to plug gaping budget shortfalls.

The chief financial officer of Spanish gaming firm Codere has accused the provincial government of Buenos Aires of acting ‘arbitrarily’ against the company by rejecting Codere’s application to renew the licence for its flagship La Plata bingo hall.

Opposition politicians in Buenos Aires province have lambasted Governor Daniel Scioli over his decision to renew seven lucrative casino and bingo licences without opening a public tender process.

The Madrid-based gaming group has cleared another obstacle in its path by agreeing a 12-year licence extension for its most lucrative gaming property.

Casino Club, owned by Argentine gaming magnate Cristobal Lopez and joint venture partner Barcelona-based Cirsa, faces a US$40m fine for delays in the construction of Las Vegas-style casino in Rosario City. Unsurprisingly, Casino Club has already asked for an extension of their construction deadline because such a fine could threaten the feasibility of the project, as well as politically sensitive projects elsewhere in the South American country.