In the capital city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, the summer heat has reached 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) in December. In the working-class neighbourhood of Villa Fiorito, teenagers ride motorbikes through the dirt streets while others seek shade to escape the scorching sun. One of the teenagers, Carla G, who is nearing the end of high school, used to enjoy playing football with her friends at the neighbourhood sports club. However, last June she turned to online gambling, following a trend among teenagers and young adults in Argentina.
Carla’s decision to gamble online was driven by a desire to help her family escape poverty, as her older sister Mayra lost her job and they struggled to make ends meet. Carla worked as a cashier at a virtual casino, lured in by the promise of quick cash. However, she soon found herself involved in a Ponzi scheme, pressured to recruit new players to cover her debts. After realizing the dangers of her involvement, Carla left the job, but Mayra continued to gamble online, spending hours on gambling apps and accruing debt.
In another town, history teacher Eugenia Erreguerena noticed a rise in online gambling among her students during the pandemic. Economic instability in Argentina, exacerbated by President Milei’s austerity measures, has led many young people to see online gambling as a way out of poverty. However, the consequences of gambling-induced debt can haunt them into adulthood.
Experts like MartÃn Romero are pushing for legislation to regulate online gambling and protect young people from its harmful effects. With the aggressive advertising of gambling platforms and sponsorship deals with major football clubs, the visibility of online betting has increased in Argentina. Romero and others are advocating for stricter regulations, including biometric screening tools to prevent underage gambling.
The issue of online gambling in Argentina is complex and multifaceted, with economic factors, societal trends, and regulatory challenges all playing a role. As the country grapples with rising poverty rates and increasing online betting activity, the need for effective regulation and support for those affected by gambling addiction becomes ever more pressing.