Argentina: Regulator calls for awareness following raid on illegal gambling ring

The Lotería de la Ciudad, or the Buenos Aires City Lottery, is calling for better awareness of the harms of problem gambling after an illegal casino was discovered operating in the neighborhood of Villa 21-2. 

The business was posing as a cashier while hosting illegal games of chance. 

The raid uncovered various items linked to the scheme, including electronic devices, cell phones, computers, digital media, paperwork and cash.

On the opposite end of South America, the Colombian National Army was also involved in an operation that seized more than 300 illegal gambling items and 157 slot machines.

The Buenos Aires City Lottery conducted this raid alongside the Judicial Investigations Corps (CIJ) of the Public Prosecutor's Office and members of the City Police.

In light of this raid, the City Lottery participated in Dialogando BA, a program promoted by the Secretariat of Government and Citizen Liaison of the Government of the City of Buenos Aires to educate the public on the harms of problem gambling. 

The programme was held in the Villa Soldati neighborhood and Eva Frontera and Hernán Scala from the City Lottery spoke about the potential issues that can stem from problem gambling, online betting and the use of technology, especially in minors.

They showed community members the tools and guidelines currently available to help combat problem gambling.

Simona Calarco, from the Ministry of Education, and Leandro Faur, from the Ministry of Human Development and Habitat of the GCBA, were also present.

The Dialogando BA program hosts events where neighbors, legislators, organizations, local figures and representatives of different areas of the Government of the City of Buenos Aires can come together to discuss pressing issues affecting the community. 

During the meeting, people are encouraged to speak up and cooperate to help solve issues, make needs visible and propose concrete actions on issues of community interest.