Former Olympic athletes and footballers from clubs in the province lead the new initiative to raise awareness about problematic gambling.
Argentina.- With the goal of preventing the participation of children and adolescents in gambling, Lotería de Santa Fe launched a responsible gambling campaign on social media alongside renowned athletes from the region.
"The action is aimed at raising awareness about the harms of these practices in minors and emphasizes the need to keep adolescents in healthy environments, such as sports," explained the entity, understanding that "in this way, special emphasis is placed on the prohibition of gambling in minors under 18 years old, but from a playful and proactive perspective."
Using football language, the initiative is led by players from some of the most recognized clubs in the province such as Colón, Unión, and Newell’s. In this line, "the proposal focuses on figures who embody the values of solidarity, teamwork and moves away from the universe of the instantaneous posed by campaigns carried out by influencers," highlighted by the entity.
The campaign is part of a series of policies developed by the Government of Santa Fe to address the issue of illegal online gambling and the protection of children and adolescents. In this sense, in an inter-ministerial effort, it was arranged to block and provide standards for the organization of internet sites and domains of legal or illegal gaming companies, among other important measures.
Furthermore, on Thursday, November 14, the provincial Legislature sanctioned the regulatory framework to prevent problematic consumption of gambling and online betting. The initiative, which seeks to address a problem that increasingly affects the public and social health of the province, is the result of the consensus of numerous projects presented both in the Chamber of Deputies and the provincial Senate.
Among the central objectives of the plan are the promotion of health and comprehensive care to prevent problematic consumption of gambling addiction, as well as the creation of a regulatory framework that protects users and regulates the gaming industry, both in traditional and digital environments.
One of the key points is the creation of a "Educational Program for the Prevention of Gambling Addiction", which is aimed at sensitizing students, teachers, and families about the responsible use of technologies, promoting safe gaming practices and an informed "digital citizenship." As an additional measure, it provides that state agencies will block access to betting sites on public networks, especially in schools.
It will also be required that companies implement authentication systems to ensure the security and privacy of users' personal data and prevent abusive practices.
See also: Illegal online gambling: Santa Fe advances with the blocking of unlicensed domains
The project prohibits the granting of credits or loans to players, as well as the installation of ATMs in gaming areas. Additionally, during sports events and high attendance events, the slogan "Betting is not a game" will be disseminated, restricting the promotion of gambling and protecting the most vulnerable sectors.
