Río Cuarto University: Digital environment triggers teen gambling
A recent study led by the Faculty of Economic Sciences at the National University of Río Cuarto (UNRC), in conjunction with the Ombudsman's Office, has provided a scientific perspective on the behavior of young people regarding online gambling in Córdoba. The research analyzed almost 300 high school students using experimental and behavioral economics protocols, determining that 19% of those evaluated show indicators of risk or problem gambling. The report concludes that, while the phenomenon is present, it does not yet have consolidated structural features, which represents a key opportunity for preventive intervention before the pattern becomes chronic.
One of the most compelling findings of the survey is the significant gender gap in risk predisposition. The data indicates that 37.2% of males fall into vulnerability categories compared to 5.3% of females, meaning an incidence seven times higher in the male population.
For the researchers, this difference is not due to stigmatization, but rather suggests that group dynamics and digital socialization factors have a much deeper impact on male adolescents, who show a greater willingness to take immediate risks within platforms.
The study shifts responsibility from a supposed "generational impulsivity" to the design of the digital environment. According to Dr. Juan Munt, a UNRC professor, adolescents at risk do not show structural personality differences compared to those who are not; the problem lies in the high exposure to constant stimuli and the ease of access to betting.
The evidence suggests that the combination of mild behavioral vulnerabilities with an aggressive digital ecosystem is what generates the risk, so the focus of public policies should be on regulating choice architecture, imposing default spending limits, and strengthening economic literacy in families to mitigate cognitive biases.
Tags: Argentina, adolescent problem gambling, problem gambling in Argentina, National University of Río Cuarto problem gambling report, UNRC problem gambling