An Argentinian nonpartisan group has called on the Senate to approve a bill on gambling addiction prevention and online betting regulation.
The organization, named Fuerza Suma, sent a letter to all senators warning that the initiative could lose parliamentary status if it does not advance.
In its letter, Fuerza Suma described gambling addiction as “a human and social problem that requires an urgent response from the State.” It said the expansion of digital betting particularly affects children, adolescents and young people, with consequences that extend beyond individual players.
The group said the effects of problem gambling “compromise family finances, deteriorate relationships and have repercussions in schools and communities.”
The bill would restrict advertising by betting operators, sports sponsorships and promotions aimed at attracting players. It also includes identity and age verification requirements to prevent minors from accessing betting platforms, as well as tools intended to prevent problematic gambling behavior.
The measure passed the Chamber of Deputies on Nov. 27, 2024, but remains pending in the Senate, where it was referred to the Health, General Legislation, and Justice and Criminal Affairs committees.
The group added: “The seriousness of this problem and the risk that the initiative will lose parliamentary status require reaching the necessary agreements to turn it into law.”
The group's appeal follows a separate request from the Episcopal Commission for Social Ministry, which wrote to Argentinian VP Victoria Villarruel and senators urging them to resume the debate.
Fuerza Suma describes itself as a nonpartisan agroupation that promotes integral development, national unity and the principles of the Church's social doctrine.
Its committee includes figures from academia, business, labor, science, journalism and other professions, among them artist Katja Alemann, economists Noemí Brenta and Cristian Módolo, scientist Fernando Stefani and former national deputy Antonio Bonifaci.
Fuerza Suma was launched in September 2026 to develop proposals on economic development, education, health and transparency
