Ecuador Flips Sports Betting Ads Switch Back On after Hiatus

Ecuadorians will once again see sports betting advertising float on their TV and smartphone screens, after a previous country-wide ban imposed in 2023, has been lifted by President Daniel Noboa.

Ecuador Shakes Off Restrictive Blanket Ban on Gambling Ads

Noboa, who has promised to bring around an economic bonanza, and has campaigned on his pro-business platform, took office in January and has since been moving to position himself as a more benevolent politician when it comes to various industries and sectors.

The lifting of the ban will come as a relief for many sports organizations and bodies who have long relied on the revenue generated through sports gambling sponsorships and advertisements to sustain their clubs, and scout and nurture talent, although the industry is still unregulated.

Among the bodies expected to reap the fattest benefits is the Ecuadorian Professional Soccer League, which similar to other topflight soccer organizations elsewhere, has been one of the most vociferous critics of the measure.

The lifting of the ban has been welcomed by independent industry observers, who similarly argued that by allowing prominent gambling companies to once again advertise, they would be able to limit the reach of bad actors who have looked opportunistically at the situation and have flooded the market with their offers, which are not subjected to the same stringent regulatory oversight.

Ecuador has not really moved to legalize the gambling industry in the country, but the president is seen as the most likely figure to move against the restrictive gambling framework, and hopefully begin to flesh out the rules for a more sustainable model where gambling companies apply for licenses and offer their products completely above board.

Gambling Industry Still Unregulated in the Country

Presently, land-based casinos and bingo are still banned, as per a referendum held back in 2011, which restricts the market greatly. The state of online sports gambling and online casinos is still undecided, and casinos and sportsbooks are operating in a state of a grey area, but without facing legal ramifications.

However, the government did put together a proposal under which gambling companies are asked to register with tax authorities and pay a 15% tax – and an additional 15% tax is to be charged on player’s winnings.

Ecuador has a long way to go in regulating its industry, but Noboa’s decision to suspend the gambling ads ban could be a harbinger of better days to come, and his commitment to living up to his campaign promise.