A Representative for the Coalición Cívica in the Buenos Aires Chamber of Deputies, Romina Braga, has reintroduced a bill to establish a Provincial Program for the Prevention and Detection of Online Gambling Addiction within the education system.
The initiative was originally presented by former bloc leader Maricel Etchecoin but lost parliamentary status after failing to reach a vote.
The proposal applies to students across all mandatory education levels in Buenos Aires province, including both public and private institutions. It defines online gambling addiction, referred to as “ciberludopatía”, as compulsive gambling behavior conducted through internet platforms, online services or mobile devices, highlighting constant platform availability as a key risk factor for minors.
Under the program, schools would be required to implement prevention and early detection mechanisms, train educators and deploy interdisciplinary teams to identify at-risk students.
Institutions would also be expected to coordinate with families, guide students through their educational continuity and refer cases to specialists in behavioral addictions, while working alongside municipal authorities and civil society organizations.
The bill comes amid increased legislative focus on gambling in the province. In February 2026, the Buenos Aires Chamber of Deputies created a Commission on Gambling, Lottery and Problem Gambling Prevention to address a backlog of related proposals.
The commission is also reviewing potential restrictions on gambling advertising targeting minors and measures to limit adolescent access to betting platforms, including through digital payment systems.
Romina Braga has been one of the most active provincial lawmakers on gambling-related issues in Buenos Aires, frequently pushing initiatives focused on prevention, regulation and youth protection within the expanding online betting market
