In recent months, Argentina has taken increasingly strong measures to curb the rise of online gambling and its effects on the population, particularly among young people. The government, financial sector, and the Church have all voiced concerns about the impact of these platforms, which have become a major public health issue.
The Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Gambling (FEJA) in Buenos Aires ordered the blocking of 237 illegal gambling websites in an effort to restrict access to unregulated services. Meanwhile, the Chamber of Deputies has debated a bill aimed at limiting advertising and promotion of online gambling in the media and social networks, as well as implementing biometric verification to prevent minors from accessing these platforms.
In line with these initiatives, the Buenos Aires City Government has restricted access to gambling sites through its public WiFi network available in schools and community clubs. Additionally, new regulations have limited the use of mobile phones in classrooms to reduce students' exposure to betting platforms.
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The financial sector has also taken action. Banks such as Santander and Brubank have introduced new measures to prevent minors from accessing online gambling platforms. Santander automatically blocked debit card usage for teenagers on these sites, while Brubank launched a parental control system allowing adults to monitor their children's transactions in real time.
The issue has raised growing concerns across different sectors of society, including the Church. Monsignor Ángel Rossi, Archbishop of Córdoba, has been one of the most vocal critics of the rise in online gambling. In recent statements, he warned that gambling has become a business that exploits the vulnerability of young people, turning every smartphone into a "portable casino." He stressed that even with regulations, these platforms still pose a significant risk by encouraging gambling addiction at an early age.
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Rossi pointed out that ineffective restrictions allow minors to use relatives' accounts to gamble, and he condemned the complicity of some sectors that prioritize financial gain over social well-being. "It is very sad when leadership profits from human vulnerability," the archbishop declared, urging the government to take firm action to protect families and prevent gambling addiction.
As regulatory efforts progress, the fight against online gambling remains a key topic in Argentina’s public debate. With stricter laws and increasing social pressure, the country appears to be on track to toughen its stance against a growing issue that concerns many sectors of society.
