Buenos Aires province holds session on youth gambling during World Cup

The IPLyC of Buenos Aires province convened a public session under its "Activá las alertas" cycle to address problem gambling, illegal online betting and the role of digital platforms in driving youth exposure to wagering.

The meeting brought together more than 100 residents at Club de Leones de Los Hornos, in La Plata. 

Gonzalo Atanasof, IPLyC president, said at the session that problem gambling "is a very complex issue because it is a silent addiction that often only becomes visible when the person is already in debt. It has social, cultural and economic dimensions. In a difficult context for many families, betting can appear as a false solution."

Atanasof framed the purpose of the cycle in community terms, saying the goal was for participants to "take away information, know they are not alone, be able to identify warning signs and dare to talk about this topic at home, with their children, grandchildren, friends or coworkers."

Provincial legislator Ariel Archanco, who attended the event, said the initiative reflects "a social commitment by the province to this issue," adding that the tools being shared "are not only technical but also attitudinal." 

Psychologist Débora Blanca, who specializes in problem gambling and has featured in multiple sessions of the cycle, described the event as "a genuine space for dialogue" involving collective reflection.

The session addressed the specific risks of illegal betting sites, which authorities say lack identity verification controls and allow minors to access platforms, exposing them to fraud and data exposure. 

Provincial health authorities have identified anxiety, social withdrawal, loss of interest in regular activities and difficulty controlling time or money spent on gambling as primary warning signs.

The World Cup context has sharpened the campaign's focus. Authorities noted that major sporting events generate conditions that accelerate online betting activity, particularly among adolescents who do not identify the behavior as problematic. Buenos Aires province's legislature has also moved on the issue: a committee on gambling and lottery was established in recent months, with one lawmaker proposing mandatory biometric verification and access restrictions on gambling platforms.

The "Activá las alertas" cycle began in April 2026 with a session focused on health and digital consumption directed at secondary school students, teachers and families. A second session in late April brought together judicial authorities, including prosecutors and a criminal court judge, to address illegal gambling regulation. The Los Hornos session was the latest in that series.