Córdoba City reviews three proposals regarding adolescents involved in gambling
The Córdoba City Council is currently reviewing three ordinance proposals focused on strategies to address gambling addiction, especially among minors. These initiatives are under examination by the General Legislation, Constitutional Affairs, Petitions, and Powers Committee, chaired by Councilor Nicolás Piloni.
Ordinance Proposals Under Review
The first proposal, Ordinance No. 11468/c/24, aims to implement an awareness campaign targeting teenagers to educate them about the risks associated with online betting.
The second, Ordinance No. 11479/c/24, proposes the launch of a comprehensive gambling addiction prevention campaign in Córdoba to address broader concerns of problem gambling within the community.
Finally, Ordinance No. 11608/c/24 seeks to prohibit access to online gambling services in municipal public spaces, schools, and recreational centers. This proposal would mandate blocking online gambling websites on public devices in these settings, targeting a major source of accessibility for minors.
Expert Insights on Youth Gambling Risks
To inform the discussion, cybersecurity expert Enrique Dutra, vice president of the Chamber of Information Technology, Electronics, and Communications Industries of Central Argentina (CIIECCA), provided insights to the committee. Dutra highlighted how easily accessible gambling apps have become, requiring minimal steps like scanning a QR code, which poses significant risks to young users.
Dutra emphasized key factors driving youth gambling, including the age of users, the influence of social figures and influencers promoting betting apps, and the accessibility of gambling platforms. He proposed that promoting public awareness campaigns, implementing parental control software, and restricting app downloads could be effective measures to limit youth exposure to gambling.
Next Steps
Following the committee's discussions, the council announced that these three proposals will remain under review and will be further discussed in upcoming meetings.
