Buenos Aires provincial deputy Valentín Miranda has requested details from the administration led by Axel Kicillof concerning the status of the Comprehensive Plan to Tackle Problem Gambling Among Adolescents. Initiated in July 2024, this program aims to curb online gambling among minors. The inquiry by Miranda seeks to ascertain whether the plan remains active, identify the responsible parties, and clarify the frequency of meetings among those involved in this initiative.
The Comprehensive Plan, originally announced by provincial leaders including Health Minister Nicolás Kreplak, Security Minister Javier Alonso, Justice Minister Juan Martín Mena, former Education Director Alberto Sileoni, and Gonzalo Atanasof, the President of the Provincial Lottery and Casino Institute, is a collaborative effort. It brings together seven ministries and provincial institutions to coordinate healthcare, education, and enforcement strategies in response to the rising trend of adolescent online gambling.
Amidst broad agreement on the necessity to tackle this issue, Miranda highlighted a scarcity of data regarding the program’s effectiveness, despite its implementation nearly two years ago. The deputy has requested information on research, surveys, and public policies that have been enacted to combat this issue, as well as the methods employed by the General Directorate of Culture and Education to address it. Miranda also seeks details on awareness campaigns in schools, teacher training, and any therapeutic or support initiatives for youth affected by gambling addiction, including the involvement of families in these processes.
A significant hurdle identified by Miranda is the absence of official statistics on underage gambling. According to him, this data gap poses challenges for effective policy implementation. He emphasized a collaborative intent, stating: “Our goal is to support the efforts to combat adolescent gambling addiction. We count on the executive branch’s timely response to our questions.”
The legislative process related to gambling regulation has faced delays, particularly with the establishment of the Commission on Gambling, Lottery, and Prevention of Gambling Addiction, which was intended to analyze legislative proposals on gambling. The absence of this commission has stalled discussions on various initiatives addressing underage gambling. One such initiative, consolidated in November 2024 by the Addiction Prevention Commission led by Miranda, encapsulates several proposals from opposition deputies aimed at combating this issue.
Miranda underscored the broader societal impacts of underage gambling, noting its detrimental effects on adolescents’ financial situations, family dynamics, societal roles, academic pursuits, and mental and physical health. When the Comprehensive Plan was unveiled, Government Minister Carlos Bianco noted that it was developed following directives from Governor Kicillof to assist teenagers and regulate gambling activities. Health authorities at the time reported results from a survey conducted among 434 secondary school students in June 2024, which revealed that 34% had engaged in online gambling at least once.
The proposed measures for tackling this issue include educational campaigns within schools, teacher training, the blocking of IP addresses used by gambling websites within educational institutions, biometric systems for age verification, and stricter regulations on advertising.
As the situation develops, stakeholders await further steps, including the potential establishment of the Commission on Gambling, Lottery, and Prevention of Gambling Addiction, and the implementation of proposed measures to address underage gambling. The effectiveness of these efforts will likely depend on the timely response of the executive branch and the availability of comprehensive data to guide policy decisions.
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