Senate's delay on online gambling ad law causes concern
Social organizations in Argentina expressed their concern over the lack of progress in the Senate regarding the online gambling advertising law, which remains unaddressed despite having been approved by the Chamber of Deputies a year ago. This occurs while Resolution 446/2025, recently published, establishes new rules for the advertising of online betting and gaming, including mandatory warnings and user protection criteria.
At the beginning of November, the Official Gazette published Resolution 446/2025, issued by the Secretariat of Industry and Commerce of the Ministry of Economy, which establishes a new regulatory framework for the advertising of online gaming and betting platforms.
The regulation sets strict criteria for the dissemination of advertisements, requiring that advertising include only essential operator information and two mandatory warnings: “COMPULSIVE GAMBLING IS HARMFUL TO HEALTH” and “+18”, along with other requirements aimed at strengthening user protection.
Despite this administrative progress, social organizations warned of a growing concern: the Senate has not yet debated the online gambling advertising law, even though the Chamber of Deputies approved it a year ago. Among the critical voices is that of priest Munir Bracco, a member of the Social Pastoral.
Claims from the Social Pastoral
In an interview with Radio María Argentina, Bracco expressed his displeasure at the lack of legislative treatment.
“Everything has been said and suffered. Now the question is: why is there no progress? They are killing lives,” he said, questioning the absence of effective controls over casino and online gambling advertising, especially in contexts where children and adolescents are exposed.
The clergyman also cited warnings from Cardinal Ángel Rossi, Archbishop of Córdoba, who described the current situation with a striking phrase: “A casino in the hand of every child, every adolescent”, referring to the easy access to gambling from mobile devices.
Risks in sports and the family environment
With the Football World Cup approaching, Bracco also drew attention to the growing presence of online gambling in sports, driven by predictions, recreational bets, possible addictive behaviors, and campaigns led by well-known figures.
On the family level, the priest urged parents to exercise greater supervision over their children’s digital consumption. “Limits are part of love,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of establishing clear rules in an environment where access to gambling is increasingly normalized.
Bracco closed his message with a plea to society and authorities: to act with concrete deeds and not just declarations. “Let it not be just words, but with gestures and actions,” he concluded.
Tags: Argentina, betting, betting advertising, Resolution 446/2025