Argentina: Project to regulate online gambling in the province of Buenos Aires reintroduced

Diego Garciarena, a representative from Mar del Plata, has reintroduced a bill that aims to regulate online gambling and prevent gambling addiction among minors in the province of Buenos Aires.

To expedite parliamentary proceedings, the UCR legislator recently presented an online form to collect signatures in support of the initiative, which had been submitted to the Buenos Aires Chamber of Deputies in December of last year.

Garciarena questioned the government's lack of action on this issue: “Online gambling is growing rapidly, while the provincial government continues to turn a blind eye. Our bill seeks to prevent childhood gambling addiction. We ask you to support us by completing this form."

"We are facing a social problem that is advancing faster than the government's response. That is why we are seeking to build public pressure so that this issue is addressed as soon as possible," he added.

Las apuestas online avanzan sin control, mientras el gobierno provincial sigue mirando para otro lado.
Nuestro proyecto de ley busca prevenir la ludopatía infantil.

Te pedimos que nos acompañes completando este formulario 👇https://t.co/ACSORg9B5Q pic.twitter.com/h1rOmSfYh0

— Diego R Garciarena (@dgarciarena) July 29, 2025

It should be noted that the Radical Party's proposal establishes the implementation of biometric validation systems on online betting platforms, as well as regulating the advertising of betting in the media and on social networks.

After being submitted to the Legislature at the end of last year, Garciarena's bill was one of 13 that were consolidated this year in the Chamber of Deputies' Addiction Prevention Committee aimed at tackling online gambling addiction among children.

If it passes two more committees, it will be ready to be debated in the chamber, a situation that is far from likely in the short term, given the lack of activity in the Legislature in recent months.

Diego Garciarena

For its part, the Buenos Aires Senate moved forward in 2024 with a Comprehensive Gaming Law, which received the support of lottery retailers, but still has a long road ahead in committees.

Meanwhile, Governor Axel Kicillof's administration continues to take various measures to curb gambling among minors. Through the Provincial Lottery and Casino Institute (IPLyC), they are conducting awareness campaigns on problem gambling with a series of talks by sports journalist and presenter Nicolás “Cayetano” Cajg.

In addition, last year, the Interministerial Committee for the Prevention and Treatment of Compulsive Gambling in Adolescents was created to promote the "design and implementation of public policies" to combat online gambling among young people.