TITLE: Uruguay's National Lottery and Betting Authority Publishes Guidance on Games and Raffles Under 2,000 Reajustable Units
BODY:
The Dirección Nacional de Loterías y Quinielas (National Lottery and Betting Authority) has published instructional guidance on the authorisation process for games, raffles, public bets, and similar events in Uruguay.
The guidance applies to two categories of events. For games and raffles with prize emissions not exceeding 2,000 Reajustable Units (U.R.), authorisation is granted under Decreto Ley No. 14.841 (Decree Law No. 14.841). For events exceeding this threshold, applicants must seek authorisation from either the Ministry of Economy and Finance or the National Lottery and Betting Authority, in accordance with Decreto Ley No. 14.841 and its regulatory decrees (Decree 192/984 and Decree 300/989).
The guidance specifies key requirements for authorisation. Applicants must identify the beneficiary institution, which must be a charitable or educational entity. Beneficiary institutions must provide a signed declaration confirming that proceeds will be directed toward hospital or educational facility construction, repair, or equipment; financing study trips for students; or other socially beneficial projects. The guidance establishes that prizes must constitute at least 20 percent of total emission value, while beneficiary institutions must receive at least 40 percent. Promoters must provide detailed descriptions of prizes, including market value estimates, and specify the draw location and date. All draws must be conducted in the presence of a public notary. The period between the initial draw and any resorteo (re-draw) cannot exceed 30 days, and all draws must occur within ten months from the first scheduled draw date. Beneficiaries must receive their allocated funds within 120 days from the event's commencement date.
Applicants should contact the National Lottery and Betting Authority at Cerrito 220, Montevideo, or call 2916 0376 during public hours (9:15 to 15:30).