Argentina study finds 60% of teens exposed to online betting

Six out of every 10 secondary school students in Argentina have either directly participated in or been exposed to online betting, according to a nationwide survey conducted by Cruz Roja Argentina’s Humanitarian Observatory and the National Youth Coordination Office.

The study surveyed 11,421 students from 231 schools across 16 provinces between August and October 2025. It found that 16% of respondents had placed bets themselves, while 45% said they knew someone who had. The average age of first contact with betting platforms was between 13 and 14 years old, with participation rates increasing among older teenagers.

José Scioli, Director of Cruz Roja Argentina’s Humanitarian Observatory, said the widespread availability of digital wallets and constant exposure to advertising were the main factors facilitating access to online betting, regardless of whether platforms were legally authorised. 

Peer influence was identified as the primary entry point into gambling, with 57% of those who had bet reporting that they first accessed platforms through friends. Digital wallets were used by 83% of teenage bettors, while 43% relied on intermediaries to place wagers on their behalf.

Advertising exposure remained high across the sample, with more than 70% of respondents reporting frequent encounters with gambling promotions, irrespective of whether they had participated in betting activities. At the same time, a majority said they were unable to distinguish between legal and illegal platforms, and around 80% reported that current age-verification systems were ineffective.

The mental health impact of gambling was also significant among participants. Of those who had placed bets, 79% acknowledged addiction risks, 69% reported anxiety symptoms and 12% said they had incurred debt. Nearly half reported sleep disturbances and a decline in academic performance associated with gambling activity.

The survey also highlighted strong gender differences: 24% of male students admitted to betting compared with 8% of female students, with boys also reporting higher frequency of participation. Family environment emerged as an additional risk factor, with 40% of teenage bettors living with adults who also engaged in gambling.

The report recommended tighter monitoring of betting platforms, coordinated blocking of illegal sites, stronger safeguards around digital wallets, stricter rules on advertising and influencer promotions and the integration of digital literacy and gambling-risk education into school curricula.

David Thompson

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