Argentina Seeks Federal Gambling Protections to Combat Youth Addiction

The Chamber of Deputies in Argentina has introduced key stakeholders to lay the groundwork for a federal framework focused on "reducing gambling harms and eliminating pathological behaviors."

On Wednesday, 13 November, a new “working project” will begin to develop national standards and protections to address gambling-related harms. Five Argentine civic committees—covering Addiction Prevention and Drug Trafficking Control, Social Action and Public Health, Communications and Information Technology, Criminal Legislation, and Families, Children, and Youth—will collaborate on establishing policies for a federal bill. The bill aims to override state-level gambling laws to introduce comprehensive protections.

Federal involvement has been prompted, in part, by recent updates to the Buenos Aires (BA) Code of Contraventions, which introduced stricter penalties for gambling operators to restrict gambling access to those over 18. However, Buenos Aires Chief of Government, Jorge Macri, paused new gambling licenses to allow for the enforcement of stricter age-related regulations. These measures follow reports that 34% of minors have engaged in gambling activities, bypassing adult checks.

Currently, gambling regulation falls under the municipal and regional authority of Argentine provinces. However, a federal bill is being pursued to standardize restrictions on gambling advertisements, limit payment methods, and prevent minors from gambling. Mónica Frade, president of the Addiction Prevention Commission, aims to secure committee consensus to establish these safeguards as federal law.

The Committee is also reviewing government proposals, including those advocated by BA Deputy Maximiliano Ferraro, who has urged limits on online gambling advertisements and the implementation of biometric verification to prevent minors from accessing gambling venues. Ferraro highlighted the “epidemic” of compulsive gambling, especially online, which he says is impacting families and youth, aggravated by Argentina’s economic challenges.

The civic committees are under pressure to expedite policy finalizations, with stakeholders aiming to implement a federal framework before Argentina’s mid-term elections in 2025, which could shift the composition of the Chamber of Deputies.