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The Argentine province of Misiones enacted the Law on the Protection of Children and Adolescents in Digital Environments and the Prevention of Online Betting after its official publication in the Official Gazette. It is intended to protect minors from the risks of digital platforms and the increasing issue of problem gambling among teenagers.
Law II No. 42 was approved by the Provincial Chamber of Representatives on June 18 and enacted by Decree No. 1,156. Among the main measures introduced under the new framework are the regulation of online betting advertisements, control over intermediaries referred to as “cashiers”, and implementation of mandatory protocols for school response.
Comprehensive Approach to Protecting Minors
Currently, there are increasing concerns in Argentina about minors using online betting platforms. In the last 18 months, there were new initiatives in the country aimed at preventing underage gambling and enforcing measures against it.
The most important provision of the law is a ban on advertising online betting for minors and the use of influencers, characters, or other things connected with children in ads. There is also created a registry of operators, advertisers, and agencies working with online betting campaigns has also been created in Misiones.
Operators should develop mechanisms to prevent minors from being exposed to such advertising campaigns and keep relevant documentation for five years. Besides, a responsible gambling notice is going to be included in all gambling advertisements with information about risks and support services.
Monitoring, Enforcement, and Education
Another provision is the creation of a digital reporting platform, where one may report violations of the new regulations. Educational institutions will need to follow certain protocols while reacting to viral online challenges or other situations that might put children and adolescents at risk.
The authorities are going to establish an early warning system by means of monitoring and artificial intelligence, which is aimed at identifying potentially risky situations involving minors. Operators, intermediaries, advertisers, and other participants not complying with the new law will receive administrative penalties.
Prevention Strategy for the Future
To assist future prevention actions, the province is going to allocate funds for awareness campaigns, training programs, and assistance programs regarding problem gambling in digital environments. The enforcement agency will also need to conduct a review every two years regarding the impact of online betting on children and adolescents.
There will be an intersectoral advisory council established to monitor and assist in the development of public prevention policy. Besides, there will be an observation of the Healthy Digital Habits Week annually in the second week of February in Misiones.
Finally, the law reemphasizes the prohibition for minors to take part in any gambling, either physical or virtual, which reflects the strategy of Misiones province regarding child protection in digital environments.
Source: SBC Noticias
