The Ministry of Health of Buenos Aires Province has launched a public awareness campaign addressing the mental health risks linked to online betting during the 2026 football World Cup.
The campaign, titled "Que la única pasión sea alentar a la Selección" (Let supporting the national team be the only passion), was introduced by the ministry led by Nicolas Kreplak. It is aimed at flagging the point at which gambling stops being a recreational activity and starts affecting daily life.
According to the ministry, the campaign responds to the growth of problem gambling, a mental health condition associated with addiction to betting and other games of chance involving money.
Officials said the spread of digital platforms, virtual casinos and sports betting sites has made gambling accessible from any location at any time through mobile phones, increasing both the number of people gambling and the number of first time gamblers exposed to the activity.
The ministry said online gambling becomes problematic when it is repeated frequently and exceeds a person's ability to control it, adding that the issue affects all age groups and social sectors but has a particular impact on younger people.
As part of the campaign, the ministry listed several warning signs, including anxiety, irritability or social withdrawal, loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities, constant preoccupation with gambling, lying about or minimizing time and money spent betting, and repetitive gambling behavior that cannot be controlled.
The province directed residents seeking guidance or support to specialized care services through a free helpline and official social media profiles.
The campaign coincides with broader efforts by Buenos Aires Province to address gambling related harm, including awareness talks run through the Provincial Lottery and Casino Institute and a special legislative commission on gambling and addiction prevention created earlier this year. A separate bill aimed at regulating online betting and protecting minors from gambling addiction, introduced by provincial lawmaker Diego Garciarena, remains under review in the Chamber of Deputies.
The campaign follows a 2024 push by Buenos Aires Province lawmakers for a Comprehensive Gaming Law, which remains under committee review
