Argentine Municipality Blocks Access to Online Betting on Public Networks

Municipality of Castelli, located in the Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, has become the first locality in the country to restrict access to online betting sites on municipal networks. Such a measure has been passed by Ordinance 4023-E-082/25 and approved by Mayor Francisco Echarren. It is a step taken by the municipality to fight against gambling and ensure a responsible digital environment.

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The Ordinance bans access to online betting websites in all Internet networks run by the municipality, which includes schools, public Wi-Fi points, and government offices. As well as banning access to the sites, the municipality intends to launch awareness campaigns regarding the dangers of problematic gambling among kids and youth.

Opposition to National Policy

The measure was adopted in view of current discussions regarding the measures needed to address problem gambling. In 2026, the administration of President Javier Milei introduced a project concerning gambling prevention. Opponents of the bill claimed that it does not include a complete ban on advertising by licensed online gambling companies.

In defense of the ordinance, Mayor Echarren stated that municipalities should take more measures to protect youth.

“While Milei reduces funding for prevention and supports the development of the online gambling industry, in Castelli, we draw a line. Four out of ten young people have already placed bets using their mobile phones. They start gambling at the age of 13. While some people ignore the issue, we take action.”

While announcing the measure, he also said the following: “Online betting is banned. Our municipality won’t allow our community to get into problem gambling.”

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How the Restrictions Will Be Implemented

For the implementation of the restrictions, the municipality will cooperate with the local internet service provider, Cooperativa CUECCA, to ban access to online gambling websites in municipal networks. The municipality will coordinate actions with the educational establishments in order to implement technical restrictions and raise awareness in schools.

The Ordinance belongs to the current national discussion regarding the growing gambling of minors and the need to take measures for preventing access to online gambling websites.

Expanding the Protection of Minors in Misiones

Castelli’s measure came after another regulation adopted in the country. The province of Misiones has passed the law on protection of children and adolescents in digital environments and the prevention of online betting to reduce children’s exposure to gambling risks.

The law imposes certain restrictions on gambling advertising targeting minors, creates a register of gambling operators and advertisers, sets certain conditions for the use of responsible gambling messages in promotional campaigns, creates channels of information about illegal activities and mechanisms for their enforcement. Furthermore, there are protocols established by schools to fight against digital threats.

It also creates a provincial prevention fund, requires regular assessments of the influence of online gambling on minors, and implements long-term policies for protecting children and adolescents in the digital environment.

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Source: SBC Noticias