The Buenos Aires Institute of Lottery and Casinos (IPLyC) has launched a responsible gambling campaign ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, seeking to raise awareness of problem gambling among young people and promote the use of licensed betting platforms.
The initiative includes educational outreach, community events and access to treatment and prevention services throughout Buenos Aires province.
Gonzalo Atanasof, president of the institute, said: "It's a multidimensional issue that involves the provincial state and families, as many young people fail to recognize these behaviors as problematic."
The campaign also targets illegal online gambling platforms, which the institute notes do not verify user identity, allowing minors to access them, and expose users to fraud and data theft.
In addition, a community talk on screens, digital consumption and online risks is scheduled for June 26 in a communal club, led by specialist Débora Blanca.
According to the provincial Ministry of Health, families must be aware of warning signs of problem gambling, which may include: anxiety, irritability or social isolation, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, persistent preoccupation with gambling, denial or minimization of time and money spent, and an inability to control gambling behavior.
Alongside the helpline and the provincial mental health network, the institute directs users to its Programa de Prevención y Asistencia al Juego Compulsivo, which maintains in-person centers in La Plata, Mar del Plata, Vicente López, Tandil, Olavarría, Bahía Blanca, Pergamino, Morón, Avellaneda and Necochea.
Buenos Aires province has been expanding its responsible gambling infrastructure in parallel with a broader rollout of licensed gaming infrastructure. The institute recently began deploying lottery terminals across multiple municipalities in the province.
Legal online gambling sites in Buenos Aires province must use the .bet.ar domain; platforms that do not comply can be reported through the regulator's official website
