In a pioneering move for Latin America, Ecuador has launched a free national online masterclass aimed at preventing gambling disorder. Developed by the initiative Apuesta Legal, the course is open to both citizens and healthcare professionals and represents one of the first large-scale public efforts in the region to promote responsible gaming through education.
The program, fully online and interactive, includes scientific content, psychological insights, and a final quiz to assess comprehension. The goal is not just to inform, but to empower early detection and foster healthier relationships with gambling.
“We want players, families, and professionals to have access to clear, science-based guidance that can help recognize red flags before things spiral,” said Diego Camacho, the spokesperson for the initiative. He emphasized that gambling disorder is often invisible until it causes deep social, financial, or emotional harm.
The masterclass was developed with the input of clinical psychologist Joselyne Richards and leverages research from The Lancet Public Health, which found that nearly 26.4% of teenage gamblers and 15.8% of adult casino players may be at risk of developing problematic behaviors.
This initiative arrives at a critical time. As Latin America sees the rapid expansion of both legal and illegal betting markets, prevention has become just as vital as regulation. The Ecuadorian effort sets a precedent by putting education first, making it freely available to the public, and recognizing that responsible gaming starts long before the bet is placed.
While some countries focus solely on enforcement, Ecuador is proving that public health and proactive awareness campaigns can lead the way toward a healthier gaming culture.
