The National Congress of Argentina has received a bill of individual protections to shield Argentine youth from gambling harms and risks.
The Bill, which is sponsored by senator Beatriz Ávila, demands that Congress and the Senate ramp up efforts to curb problem gambling rates among the Argentine youth population.
Ávila stated that her proposals seek to end the “normalisation of gambling that is preying on the lives of Argentina’s youth” who require urgent need of a nationwide prevention programme.
The senator noted that an immediate intervention is needed following new data from Argentina’s Ombudsman’s Office which showed that seven in every 100 citizens suffer from gambling-related problems; nationwide, the country is estimated to have more than 19 million active gamblers.
Under the proposal, schools will offer educational workshops that warn students about the risks of online betting, while teachers and staff will receive specialist training to identify problem gambling behaviours among pupils. The programme will also create referral systems that link schools with healthcare and social support services.
The bill adds a financial burden for operators, proposing a new levy equivalent to 1% of all online bets placed in Argentina which will be used to fund prevention and treatment measures.
The initiative forms part of a broader political push to tighten controls on Argentina’s expanding online gambling market, which has become one of Latin America’s fastest-growing betting economies.
Separately, National Deputy Karina Banfi has introduced legislation aimed at banning gambling advertising targeted at minors across television, radio, social media and digital platforms.
The proposal will prohibit operators from using athletes, influencers, cartoon imagery or celebrities in campaigns designed to appeal to younger audiences. It would also ban messaging linking betting with financial success or personal achievement.
Meanwhile, Buenos Aires Senator Malena Galmarini is leading a parallel effort that is focused on sport, proposing restrictions on betting sponsorships at sporting and community events.
If passed, the measures would ban gambling logos from sports kits, prohibit advertising within 100 metres of sports venues and prevent gambling companies from securing naming rights for stadiums or facilities.
The debate has intensified as Argentina’s top football clubs, including Boca Juniors and River Plate, continue to expand commercial partnerships with betting operators.
Together, the proposals signal that Argentina’s political establishment is preparing for a far more aggressive stance on gambling regulation, particularly where youth exposure and sports marketing are concerned.
