Online bingo in Uruguay operates under strict legal restrictions enforced by the Dirección Nacional de Loterías y Quinielas (DNLQ), the country's gambling regulatory authority. Under Law No. 19,535 and related regulations, online casino games including bingo, poker, roulette, and slot machines remain expressly prohibited through remote channels (1). Only seven state-authorized operators are permitted to offer specific online betting services, while unauthorized platforms are classified as illegal under Uruguayan law (1).
The legislative framework established in 2017 through Article 244 of Law No. 19,535 defines any unauthorized online gambling service, including unregulated online bingo, as unlawful in Uruguay (1). The Executive Branch possesses authority to block access to illegal gambling websites, prevent financial transactions, and impose substantial fines on operators and facilitators of unauthorized online bingo platforms (1). These enforcement mechanisms ensure that only state-approved operators maintain legal status to conduct gambling activities within Uruguay's jurisdiction (1).
"The operation of casino games and remote betting without authorisation is expressly forbidden by Uruguayan law. Since 2017, this principle has been embodied in Law No. 19,535's Article 244, which defines any unauthorised online gambling service as unlawful."
Recent legislative developments indicate Uruguay is transitioning toward regulated online gambling. In May 2025, Uruguay's Senate approved a bill unanimously that will allow state-run and privately-operated casinos to offer online games, though this legislation must still receive approval from the Chamber of Deputies (1). The proposed regulations mandate that only casinos holding existing land-based operation licenses may apply for online authorization, with the General Directorate of Casinos managing the new online market while sports betting continues operating under DNLQ's monopoly (1).
Source:
https://sigma.world/news/uruguay-online-betting-regulation/
https://embassyofuruguayinindia.in/online-gambling-laws-by-country/
Last updated: 01-11-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
