INPROJUY warned about the growth of adolescents accessing clandestine gambling sites. The organization emphasizes that prevention requires the participation of the entire community, beyond the role of families.
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A threat growing from the cell phone screen
In recent years, online gambling has expanded at a speed that control mechanisms find difficult to follow. In Jujuy, this trend has a particularly worrying face: more and more adolescents are accessing illegal gambling platforms from their mobile phones, without real barriers to prevent it. Unlike physical casinos, where there is face-to-face identity control, illegal digital platforms do not verify the age of their users, turning the cell phone into an unlocked gateway for minors.
What INPROJUY says about the current situation
María Spengler, head of the Responsible Gambling area of INPROJUY, stressed that addressing this problem cannot fall solely on households, but requires an articulated response between schools, families, and society as a whole. Spengler summarized the institutional stance in one phrase: it is necessary to «take action rather than just worry». The organization carries out awareness campaigns and talks in educational establishments to warn about the risks of online gambling before the habit takes hold.
Why it is so difficult to block illegal sites
When authorities manage to block a clandestine site, another one quickly emerges with an almost identical name. This constant regeneration dynamic makes the individual pursuit of each page insufficient and requires a systemic approach that combines technology, education, and citizen participation. The ease of access aggravates the problem: with an internet connection and a mobile device, an adolescent can enter these platforms from their room without any adult noticing. INPROJUY has enabled channels so that anyone can report sites operating without official authorization.
Warning signs that should not be ignored
Identifying in time if an adolescent has a problem with online gambling can make a significant difference. According to Spengler, the most frequent signs are sudden changes in behavior, social isolation, money without a clear explanation of its origin, and excessive use of the cell phone for prolonged hours. «There are kids who are locked in their rooms and we think they are playing or chatting, but in reality, they are gambling», the official warned. Compulsive gambling can lead to debt, school deterioration, and legal problems.
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How to know if a gambling platform is legal in Argentina
INPROJUY offers a simple tool to distinguish authorized platforms from illegal ones: if the domain ends in .bet.ar, the site is legal and regulated. Sites with .com or .com.ar extensions that offer gambling operate outside the Argentine regulatory framework. This distinction also matters for security: legal platforms are required to verify identity, restrict access to minors, and implement responsible gambling tools, such as deposit limits and self-exclusion options.
The social cost of illegal gambling is paid by the youngest
Illegal platforms do not allocate resources to prevention programs or treatment for problem gambling, as they have no legal obligation to do so. This leaves their users (including vulnerable adolescents) without support networks. In contrast, legal operators must contribute percentages of their income to provincial health funds and social programs. By choosing an illegal site, the user not only exposes themselves to their own risks but also deprives the system of resources intended for those who develop addiction problems.
A responsibility that belongs to everyone
The message from INPROJUY is clear: protecting minors from illegal online gambling is not the exclusive task of the State or parents. It is a shared responsibility involving teachers, families, and the entire community. Early prevention, open dialogue in homes, and digital education remain the most effective tools. Knowing what signs to observe, knowing how to identify legal platforms, and acting upon suspicion are concrete steps that any adult can take to protect the young people in their environment.
