Fri Jan 31 15:21:06 UTC 2025: ## Argentina’s Teen Gambling Crisis: Milei’s Veto Threat Jeopardizes Reform
**Buenos Aires, Argentina** – A surge in online gambling among Argentinian teenagers is fueling a national crisis, with experts warning of devastating consequences and calling for urgent reform. However, President Javier Milei’s staunch opposition threatens to derail crucial legislation aimed at protecting minors.
A recent report revealed that nearly a quarter of Buenos Aires students aged 12-19 have gambled online, driven largely by the need for quick cash amid rising poverty. This trend is mirrored across the country, with anecdotal evidence from teachers and researchers confirming widespread participation, particularly among boys. The allure of online gambling, often blurring the lines with video games, is exacerbated by aggressive advertising and sponsorship deals with prominent football clubs.
The lack of age restrictions in Argentina makes it a lucrative market for international gambling companies, many relocating from countries with stricter regulations. This has led to a proliferation of both legal and illegal platforms, preying on vulnerable youth. One teenager, Carla G., detailed her experience working as a cashier for an illegal online bingo operation, describing it as a Ponzi scheme that trapped her and her sister in a cycle of debt.
A bill aimed at addressing the crisis, which passed the Chamber of Deputies, proposes biometric screening to prevent underage access, limits on advertising, and increased transparency. However, President Milei, a self-described “anarcho-capitalist,” has vowed to veto the legislation, arguing it infringes on individual freedoms and that responsibility lies with families, not the state. This stance is further complicated by the appointment of a former CEO of an online betting site as the government secretary for children, adolescents, and families.
Experts, including University of Buenos Aires professor Martín Romero, highlight the alarming statistic that two-thirds of a teenager’s allowance is often gambled away. They argue that Milei’s deregulation approach, including allowing 13-year-olds to invest in the stock market, sends a dangerously misleading message, blurring the lines between investment and gambling. The ongoing debate underscores a critical clash between the need for child protection and a free-market ideology that prioritizes deregulation above all else, leaving the future of Argentinian youth vulnerable to the devastating consequences of unchecked online gambling.
First Piper 