Technology Vs. the People: Strife in Salta, Argentina
In Salta, a northwestern region and Argentina’s second-largest city, protests have broken out as a result of tension between gaming sales agents and new technology proposed by Argentina’s Game of Chance Regulatory Entity (ENREJA). While the ENREJA is looking to usher in progress thanks to new technology available to the gaming industry, the agents are upset at what it might cost their brick-and-mortar sales.
Ticket sellers in Salta, Argentina have protested what they call “virtual tombola” – but industry regulators maintain there is no such thing.
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Protests on the streets of Salta
In early May, 2023, lottery and tombola agents — otherwise known as ticket sellers — took to the streets of Salta to protest new measures from the ENREJA. They were joined by agency owners and others associated with the industry in the region.
The reason for their protest was straightforward: They fear job loss and revenue loss due to advancements in technology that the ENREJA has made it clear it is keen to adopt. Thankfully for the ticket sellers, they have support in the form of their group, the Chamber of Official Lottery and Tombola Agents, which is looking out for their interests.
The group’s president, Alfredo Rodríguez spoke to local media on the occasion of the protest about why it is important to preserve these jobs. He also shared that the Chamber has created a petition to the ENREJA which deals with their concerns.
The Chamber’s petition addresses some issues around holidays and the extension of work hours, as well as the concept of “virtual tombola.” ENREJA has responded. The entity is also in charge of overseeing a local responsible gaming bill.
Is there a virtual tombola?
The move that kicked off this protest in particular is an effort by the ENREJA to create what the agents are calling “virtual tombola.” Virtual gaming, including even virtual sports matches and races to bet on, is becoming an increasingly popular means of gambling.
While for some gamers, it will not replace “the real thing,” its popularity and ease of participation strikes many working in the industry as a threat to their livelihoods. If the game is conducted completely online, there would soon be no need for ticket sellers, which would result in unemployment for the many workers involved in the industry.
Rodríguez, speaking on this, said the only way to prevent a serious, negative outcome is to cancel virtual tombola. However, leaders from the ENREJA had a surprising response to the Chamber’s petition and claims.
President Aníbal Caro and vice president Adrián Amen spoke with local media as well to explain the side of the ENREJA. According to Caro and Amen, there is no “virtual tombola” at all. What the sellers refer to as virtual tombola is just another sales channel for the existing tombola.
Caro and Amen suggest that the sellers have blown the issue out of proportion and have invented an idea of a kind of illegal, online games. Indeed, the title “virtual” brings to mind completely digital games designed with randomization. The ENREJA leaders maintain that this is not the case, and that sellers are still vitally involved in this new sales channel.
Online gaming and misinformation
So what is the real story behind these so-called virtual tombola draws? According to the ENREJA, these digital sales — which were created in response to the pandemic — only reach about 1% of total sales, so they do not seem like a real risk to the physical industry in Salta. They also said they had not heard of any ticket selling agencies having to close.
Perhaps, the agents have used this information to rally support for other changes which are more manageable, like commission increases — something the ENREJA say they are open to. Maybe, like agents in Panama, they see online gaming as a real threat and want to nip the situation in the bud. It is also possible that the idea of a virtual game is somewhat unclear and easy to spread misinformation about. After all, gaming technology will only continue to expand.
