Overview
- Tucumán health authorities warned on Tuesday that problematic online gambling among adolescents has risen during the 2026 World Cup and urged stronger prevention efforts.
- Officials attribute the spike to pervasive betting ads on social media and broadcasts, including an AI-generated Diego Maradona spot, that normalize wagering for young viewers.
- Young people are placing real-time bets from smartphones, sometimes during school breaks, helped by virtual wallets, instant transfers and unregulated or illegal platforms.
- Families report sharp harms such as debts, constant requests for money, mood changes, isolation and falling school performance, and specialists say many cases go unnoticed until damage is severe.
- Local programs and treatment sites like Fuera de Juego, the Centro Integral de Salud and Hospital Avellaneda are being promoted, but authorities say parental controls are underused and regulatory oversight remains weak.