San Rafael, Mendoza, bans access to online gambling via public Wi-Fi
The Argentinian city approved an ordinance blocking betting platforms on public Wi-Fi in government-run facilities, aiming to curb youth gambling.
The municipal council of San Rafael, Argentina, has approved an ordinance prohibiting access to online gambling and betting platforms through free Wi-Fi networks in government-operated facilities.
The measure, introduced by councillorAdrian Reche of the Radical Civic Union party, applies to libraries, digital access points, municipal daycare centers, multipurpose halls, local government offices and other municipal spaces offering public internet connectivity.
It targets both regulated and illegal sites as part of efforts to prevent gambling addiction among minors.
Adrian Reche, councillor, said: “A bill was introduced in the City Council, approved and enacted as an ordinance, aiming to help address a growing problem that is becoming increasingly common among our adolescents.”
The councillor noted that while technology serves as a fundamental tool for education, it carries risks in the digital environment. He pointed to the proliferation of both licensed and unlicensed betting platforms as contributing to youth gambling addiction, with economic and personal consequences for young users.
The ordinance establishes that blocking will be implemented through IP addresses, a technical approach already used by the provincial education authority across school facilities. The municipality will have the option to establish agreements with the Provincial Institute of Games and Casinos, which maintains updated lists of illegal betting sites.
Adrian Reche, councillor, said, “The aim is to begin blocking all IP addresses on a weekly basis, or regularly updating them, to prevent access to this type of website, at least in locations where the municipal government provides Wi-Fi service.”
The initiative aligns with national legislation focused on gambling addiction prevention, particularly among youth. Reche contrasted the current situation with traditional casino models, noting that physical gambling facilities faced greater social scrutiny and family intervention, while online platforms enable gambling from any location with minimal oversight.
The ordinance has been approved by the legislative body and awaits promulgation by the municipal executive. Implementation requires no additional budget allocation from the municipality.
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