Argentina, November 8, 2026. La Pampa distributed ARS 1.5977 billion in gambling-related funds during the second quarter of 2026, although the amount represented a 7.1% decline in real terms compared with the previous quarter. Meanwhile, Chubut launched a tender to reopen the Esquel casino, closed since March, under a new concession framework linked to the rehiring of former employees.
In La Pampa, Resolutions 82 to 88 of the Social Security Institute (ISS), dated October 23 and published in Official Gazette No. 3751, recorded 48.2% nominal year-over-year growth and an 11.4% increase in real terms, compared with ARS 1.0777 billion distributed between April and June 2025.
Jorge Payeras
However, compared with the ARS 1.591 billion distributed in the first quarter of 2026, nominal growth was just 0.4%. The Provincial Casino, operated by Casino Club, contributed ARS 1.2733 billion, accounting for 79.7% of the total. Quini 6 distributed ARS 228.8 million; Loto, ARS 87.7 million; and Telekino, ARS 7.87 million.
Sergio Ziliotto
Of the casino's contribution, ARS 840.4 million went to the ISS, ARS 219.6 million to Social Development, ARS 140 million to the Provincial Education Fund, ARS 65.9 million to Municipal Affairs, and ARS 7.3 million to Tourism. The ISS, chaired by Rubén Mendoza, oversees gambling activities through the Directorate of Financial Assistance for Social Action (DAFAS), managed by Jorge Payeras, under the administration of Governor Sergio Ziliotto.
Ramiro Ibarra
In Chubut, the Social Assistance Institute (IAS), chaired by Ramiro Ibarra, launched Public Tender 01-IAS/2026, file 3350-IAS/2026, to award a concession for the Esquel casino and its annex in Trevelin, previously operated by Trewelyn S.A. The closure on March 25 affected approximately 50 workers, while 36 obtained a favorable court ruling over unpaid wages. Tender documents cost ARS 5 million.
A correction issued on October 26 increased the payable concession fee from 30% to 75% for an operator that rehires at least 25% of the former workforce. Under Governor Ignacio Torres, the IAS rescheduled the bid opening through Resolution 0952-IAS/2026, moving it from November 6 to November 19 at 11:00 a.m., in Rawson. The municipalities involved are headed by Matías Taccetta, Mayor of Esquel, and César Salamín, Mayor of Trevelin.
