TLDR
- Castelli, a municipality in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, became the first locality to block online betting sites on municipal networks.
- Ordinance 4023-E-082/25 was approved by Mayor Francisco Echarren and covers schools, public Wi-Fi, and government offices.
- The mayor said four out of ten young people have already placed bets using mobile phones, often starting at age 13.
- The municipality will work with local internet provider Cooperativa CUECCA to enforce the technical restrictions.
- The move follows a separate law in Misiones province that also restricts gambling ads and access for minors.
Castelli, a municipality in Argentina’s Buenos Aires Province, has passed a new rule to block access to online betting websites.
It is the first locality in the country to take this step. The measure applies to all internet networks run by the municipality.
This includes public schools, public Wi-Fi hotspots, and government offices. Anyone using these networks will not be able to reach betting sites.
What the Ordinance Says
The rule is known as Ordinance 4023-E-082/25. It was approved by Mayor Francisco Echarren.
City officials say the goal is to protect young people from problem gambling. The ordinance also calls for awareness campaigns about the risks of gambling for children and teens.
Mayor Echarren linked the decision to a national debate happening in Argentina. Earlier this year, President Javier Milei’s administration introduced a plan aimed at gambling prevention.
Critics of that national plan say it does not fully ban advertising from licensed online gambling companies. Echarren argued that local governments need to act on their own.
He said funding for prevention programs has been reduced at the national level. At the same time, he said the online gambling industry has continued to grow.
“Four out of ten young people have already placed bets using their mobile phones,” Echarren said. He added that many begin gambling around age 13.
“While some people ignore the issue, we take action,” he said. He also confirmed that online betting is now banned on municipal networks.
How the Ban Will Work
The municipality plans to work with a local internet provider called Cooperativa CUECCA. This company will help block access to gambling websites on public networks.
Officials also plan to coordinate with schools in the area. This includes setting up technical blocks and running education sessions for students.
The ordinance is part of a larger, ongoing conversation in Argentina. Lawmakers and local leaders have been discussing how to limit gambling access for minors nationwide.
Castelli’s move comes shortly after a similar law passed in another Argentine province. Misiones adopted a law focused on protecting children and teenagers in digital spaces.
That law places limits on gambling ads aimed at minors. It also sets up a public list of gambling operators and advertisers.
The Misiones law requires responsible gambling messages in ad campaigns. It also creates ways for people to report illegal gambling activity.
Schools in Misiones must now follow set protocols to address digital threats to students. The province has also created a fund dedicated to gambling prevention programs.
Under the law, officials in Misiones must regularly review how online gambling affects minors. The province plans to build long-term policies to protect children online.
Both Castelli and Misiones reflect a growing trend among Argentine local governments. Regions are choosing to pass their own rules rather than wait for national legislation.
