TLDR
- Argentina’s government issued Decree 771/2026, giving the Health Ministry new powers over problem gambling.
- The ministry will now handle prevention, treatment, training, research and awareness campaigns.
- The decree responds to the rise of online betting through smartphones and digital wallets.
- Former footballer Jonathan Gómez shared his own struggle with gambling addiction, adding a personal voice to the debate.
- The policy shifts Argentina’s approach from regulating operators toward public health prevention.
Argentina’s Health Ministry has been given a bigger role in fighting problem gambling. The change comes through Decree 771/2026, which was published in the Official Gazette.
The decree hands the ministry new duties tied to gambling prevention and treatment. This puts problem gambling on the same level as other public health concerns.
Health Ministry Gains New Powers
Under the decree, the Health Ministry must build policies for prevention and treatment. This applies to both psychoactive substance abuse and problem gambling.
The new duties go beyond helping people who already have severe gambling problems. They also cover training, research, awareness campaigns and early prevention work.
Officials describe this as part of a wider, more complete approach. The goal is to address gambling harm before it becomes a crisis for individuals or families.
The decree is a direct response to how easy online betting has become. Smartphones, digital payments and virtual wallets have made gambling more accessible, especially for younger people.
This has created new challenges for anyone trying to prevent gambling harm. Digital access moves faster than older prevention methods were built to handle.
Problem gambling has become a bigger topic in Argentina in recent months. National and provincial governments have been discussing ways to respond to online betting.
Some regions have already passed or proposed rules limiting gambling ads. Others are working on rules to keep minors away from betting platforms.
The new decree gives the Health Ministry a more direct role in coordinating these efforts. It is described as more than a simple administrative update.
Officials say it brings prevention, awareness and research together under one government response. The aim is a more organized system for addressing gambling harm nationwide.
Athlete Speaks Out on Gambling Addiction
The public conversation around gambling has grown louder due to stories from athletes. One example is Jonathan Gómez, a former national team footballer who played for Racing and Rosario Central.
Gómez has spoken openly about his gambling addiction. He said his problems began in 2020 after returning from Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He explained that gambling changed his mood, his personality and his daily life. He said it pulled focus away from both his work and his personal relationships.
Gómez also described the toll on his family and career. He said he has lost a great deal and is unsure if he will play football again.
He added that his public image has suffered as a result. He is currently working through the impact with his family.
His story has added a personal layer to a policy debate that often focuses on numbers and rules. It shows how gambling harm can affect anyone, including public figures.
The Health Ministry’s new role expands its focus beyond regulating betting companies. It now includes risk assessment, research, training and public education.
As online gambling becomes a bigger part of daily life in Argentina, these steps are expected to shape how the country responds going forward.
