This is the second time this year lawmakers strike out at online gambling in Argentina
Argentine lawmaker Gabriel Solano has introduced a bill to ban online casinos in Buenos Aires, citing concerns over the increasing exposure of children to gambling. Solano, a City Legislator, raised the issue after receiving complaints from citizens worried about the growing involvement of minors in gambling activities. He pointed to the widespread advertisements for betting companies, often seen on the jerseys of major sports teams, as exacerbating the issue.
Solano argued that the rise of online gambling has become particularly problematic for teenagers and children. He also expressed concern about the impact on adults, especially workers struggling with economic hardships, who may view gambling as a way out of their financial struggles. The legislator emphasized that the current online betting environment makes it difficult to shield vulnerable groups from the risks associated with gambling.
Since the beginning of 2024, Buenos Aires has implemented several measures to curb the issue. In May, stricter penalties were introduced for operators failing to ensure that gambling is restricted to adults. In June, Jorge Macri, the Chief of Government for the City of Buenos Aires, halted the issuance of new licenses for gambling operators to further tighten regulations.
Last month, a new campaign was launched to limit the reach of gambling ads targeting minors, with studies showing that 34% of children had encountered some form of betting. Solano criticized these incremental efforts, calling for a complete shutdown of online gambling platforms. He believes that banning online bookmakers is necessary to prevent further harm, stating that immediate action is needed to protect the youth from the growing dangers of gambling.
