In Rivadavia, a municipality in the Argentine San Juan province, the authorities are evaluating possible new regulations to limit advertising for online gambling in areas frequented by children, including schools and sports facilities.
The initiative was proposed by councilman Cristian Morales and is currently under review by the local Commission of Legislation and Constitutional Affairs. If approved, it will be seen only at the municipal level and enforced only by local authorities.
Morales emphasized the urgency of the issue:
Today we see betting advertisements everywhere, even linked to football. The problem arises when minors manage to bypass controls and access these platforms. This forces us to reflect on what we are doing to prevent these situations.
The initiative is in response to the increasing number of gambling advertisements on display at publicly accessible areas, where children also gather. Widespread exposure to gambling advertising has led to a normalization of “betting” and increases the chances that underage individuals will be exposed to it.
Juan Pablo Medina, the head of the Provincial Fund for Social Action, has emphasized the need for increased oversight of online gambling advertisement to mitigate risk to Youth. Authorities are currently working to finalize a regulatory decree related to the online gaming law, which has already been provided with initial approval and is pending finalization with the Ministry of Economy.
The proposal from Rivadavia is part of a larger trend of municipalities moving to establish greater control over online gambling advertisements and creating safer environments for youth. If adopted, it could provide a model for other municipalities dealing with similar issues, especially given the rapid growth in digital access compared to current regulations.
