The city of Balcarce, in Buenos Aires Province, approved an annual gambling prevention campaign targeting children, adolescents and young people.
The measure creates the campaign, "The Most Important Bet Is You" ("La apuesta más importante sos vos"), alongside the Municipal Week for Problem Gambling and Online Betting Prevention.
The ordinance was presented by councilors Gonzalo Scioli and Fara Cunqueiro with input from Youth Department Director Dolores Cerviño.
The initiative will be held annually during the third week of September to coincide with Spring and Student Day, although the local executive branch may change the dates if necessary.
Planned activities include talks and workshops in schools, training for teachers and families, media and social media awareness campaigns, and sessions with mental health professionals. The municipality may also sign agreements with schools, universities, clubs and other organizations to expand the campaign's reach.
During debate on the measure, Scioli said problem gambling is "no longer associated only with casinos or betting halls" but now "enters our homes through a mobile phone," referring to the growing use of online betting platforms among adolescents.
Citing UNICEF data, he argued that the issue extends beyond financial losses, leading to anxiety, debt, isolation, lower school performance and family conflict.
He added that the ordinance does not seek to ban betting or create new sanctions, but to strengthen prevention, saying that "when we talk about mental health, prevention always costs less than repairing the consequences."
The ordinance comes as Buenos Aires Province continues to expand its efforts to address youth gambling. Earlier this year, the provincial lottery launched the “Activate the alarms” ("Activá las alertas") awareness campaign, bringing workshops to schools, sports clubs and community organizations to promote early detection and prevention of problem gambling among adolescents.
The ordinance places the municipal Youth Department in charge of the campaign, which can coordinate with the Health, Education, Social Development, Sports and Culture areas
