Zona de Azar Argentina – City of Buenos Aires Inaugurates Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Child Gambling
Argentina.- July 25th 2024 www.zonadeazar.com Gambling and betting among children and adolescents have been growing problems in recent months.
A specialized prosecutor’s office for child gambling is already working on reports of illegal betting sites, raising awareness among children in schools, and training teachers to detect this issue.
The Head of Government, Jorge Macri, signed an agreement with the Attorney General of the City, Juan Bautista Mahiques, to coordinate and articulate actions related to gambling addiction in children and adolescents. The agreement seeks to create links of collaboration and institutional cooperation on this issue.
“Juan Mahiques proposed that we work through a prosecutor’s office for a quick response and to be able to react against very serious problems such as illegal betting sites. We are committed to this challenge and will always protect and guarantee the rights of children and adolescents,” said Jorge Macri, who was accompanied by NGOs such as Argentina Cibersegura, Faro Digital, and medical professionals and specialists.
“Just as the Judiciary took an important step by creating a Specialized Prosecutor’s Office, we in the Executive branch blocked betting sites on the public network and limited licenses, among other actions. The Legislature is working on unifying projects to create comprehensive legislation,” added the Head of Government.
So far, more than 23,000 adolescents have been trained, and tutelary and psychopedagogical assistance is provided to minors who are victims of illegal gambling. Additionally, teachers and administrative teams will be trained on how to address this issue in the classroom.
This prosecutor’s office works on reports but can also act against illegal companies. It also holds meetings with digital wallet companies and regulatory entities to improve access to these platforms and thus avoid complaints.
The Head of Government stated, “The three branches of government are working together to protect the youngest. No one should steal their future and freedom. Cooperation is the only possible way.”
He explained, “We must work on raising awareness, providing support, and especially in the most dramatic emerging cases, which are those children or adolescents who have an addiction problem, deep gambling addiction. We must support these families and children to fight against this addiction to gambling.”
“That your child is playing in their room nowadays does not mean they are safe,” Mahiques pointed out. “There are risks, and we all need to adapt: the judiciary, parents, schools. It is a team effort, and that’s why we called on the City Government, the Ministry of Education, Justice, ENACOM, digital wallet companies, the entire educational community, and NGOs to be in contact and on alert,” he concluded.
Since the City Government blocked 1,086 illegal betting sites and prohibited access through the City’s network, BA WIFI. Additionally, an audit of existing licenses was conducted, and the issuance of new ones was suspended. A support center for families and children was also created at the Álvarez Hospital, and workshops were held in schools for 1,880 adolescents and 44 families, along with activities at sporting events.
Edited by: @MaiaDigital www.zonadeazar.com
