The Chamber of Deputies of Argentina has identified the key stakeholders and committees responsible for creating a federal framework aimed at reducing gambling harm and curbing pathological behaviors.
Starting Wednesday, November 13, a new “working project” will begin to establish federal protections, standards, and rights to combat gambling-related harm. Five Argentine civic committees will contribute to this project: Addiction Prevention and Drug Trafficking Control, Social Action and Public Health, Communications and Information Technology, Criminal Legislation, and Families, Children, and Youth.
These committees are tasked with reaching consensus on policies for a federal bill that the House of Representatives will urgently consider. The bill aims to replace state laws on gambling with standardised federal regulations.
Federal action is needed, especially after Buenos Aires’ executive government recently updated its Code of Contraventions in May, increasing penalties on gambling operators and restricting gambling to those over 18. Buenos Aires Chief of Government Jorge Macri suspended new gambling licenses to introduce tougher age-related regulations.
These restrictions, along with stricter monitoring of gambling venues, came after public health and educational authorities reported that 34% of minors had bypassed age checks and engaged in gambling. Although gambling regulation currently falls under the autonomy of each Argentine province, a federal bill is required to set national standards on gambling advertisement restrictions, payment method limitations, and protections to prevent minors from gambling.
Mónica Frade, president of the Commission for Addiction Prevention, aims to secure the committees’ approval to establish these protections as federal law.
The committees will review proposals from the government, including those from BA national deputy Maximiliano Ferraro, who advocates for limiting gambling ads on online platforms and using biometric verification to keep minors out of gambling venues. Ferraro has highlighted the “epidemic” of compulsive gambling, particularly online, which he notes has been intensified by Argentina’s economic challenges and is affecting young people and families.
The committees face urgency to finalize gambling protection policies as stakeholders aim to implement a federal framework before the mid-term legislative elections in 2025, which may change the composition of the Chamber of Deputies.