The Government of the City of Buenos Aires (GCBA) began to block online betting sites on the WiFi networks of Buenos Aires schools. It is due to the growth of the phenomenon of gambling addiction in adolescent students, with students who go so far as to bet from their cell phones, even in classrooms: figures indicate that more than 12 percent of people who bet online are young people between 15 and 24 years old. In the Legislature there is already a bill from the Unión por la Patria (UxP) bloc that seeks to address the problem in schools.

The measure was announced by the head of the Buenos Aires Government, Jorge Macri, after a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Education and specialists in gambling and techno-addiction in youth. There, Macri described online betting "as one of the most serious problems in schools" and added that, for that reason, they decided to "block the IP address of the betting sites on the Internet network of our public schools."

The blockage can be bypassed with "Mobile and data"

According to Pagina 12 newspaper, the blockade covers the WiFi networks used by boys and girls in schools, effectively preventing them from accessing betting sites, mostly in the sports sector. Even so, the blockade does not totally limit the use of cell phones for betting, since there is always the option of accessing these pages or applications using "mobile data", a restriction that is outside the power of the schools.

The phenomenon of online gaming in classrooms began to grow exponentially last year, at the same pace as the general rise in society with the widespread use of sports betting houses, particularly football betting houses. In this area, the growth is parallel to the entry of betting houses as sponsors of the main clubs and even tournaments, plus the almost permanent bombardment of advertising on social networks and at sporting events.

A study by the consulting firm Seenka indicates that in 2023, 66.65 percent of advertising on sports channels corresponded to betting houses. The data is complemented by that collected by an IBOPE survey which, in addition to recording growth in betting during 2023, showed that 12.5 percent of bettors are young people between 15 and 24 years old. Bets are mainly concentrated in the areas of football, casino and bingo.

The bill

The blocking of the sites announced by the GCBA, which is complemented by the launch in schools of the educational program “What is at stake”, is not the only measure under discussion in recent weeks. The UxP bloc of legislators have already presented a bill that seeks to establish policies to counteract the advance of adolescent gambling.

The project is by deputy Juan Modarelli and provides for the creation of an "Online Gambling Prevention Plan" in primary and secondary schools, including Secondary Level Educational Centers (Cens) under the Ministry's orbit. The initiative proposes the implementation of a prevention and awareness campaign on the problem, to "provide identification and approach tools to teaching and non-teaching staff in schools, in order to guarantee correct management of particular situations."

Among other points, it provides for the implementation of rapid detection tools for cases, divided into three variables: use, abuse and addiction. This detection gives way to a subsequent treatment of the situation based on a protocol to be prepared by the Ministry, which must contemplate a "tutoring follow-up" that includes extracurricular support instances and that takes into account "the particular reality and the school career." of student".

"When identifying a case of gambling addiction in students, teachers and preceptors or tutors must give the immediate alert for the implementation of the intervention protocol for the prevention and comprehensive approach to online gambling addiction in the educational field," says the project's articles.  In addition, the initiative provides for the prohibition throughout the City of direct and indirect advertising or promotion "of recreational activities or attractions that encourage virtual betting, using information and communication tools aimed at young people and adolescents."

The foundations of the project highlight that the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes gambling addiction as a disease classified "within disorders of habits and impulse control, that is, gambling addiction or pathological gambling is considered as an addictive disorder", with a "significant danger to the mental health of children and adolescents with negative consequences on their emotional and social well-being".

There is also a warning that the "ease of access" to betting houses through cell phones “makes it more tempting for people, including boys and girls, to participate in gambling activities without taking into account the possible associated risks, and precisely that accessibility is the main obstacle to overcome.”