Argentina Youth Survey Shows Early Online Gambling Exposure And Heavy Digital Wallet Use

A new nationwide survey of more than 11,000 students has revealed deep early exposure to online betting in Argentina, with many teenagers engaging directly or observing peers who gamble online. The findings come from research carried out by Cruz Roja Argentina Humanitarian Observatory along with the National Youth Coordination Office.

Good to Know

• Study surveyed 11,421 students across 16 provinces from August to October 2025
• Average first contact with betting platforms happens at age 13 to 14
• Digital wallets used by 83% of teenage bettors

Study Shows Early Entry Into Online Betting Across Argentina

Researchers found that 6 out of 10 secondary school students had either placed online bets or knew someone who did. Of the total sample, 16 percent said they had bet themselves, while another 45 percent reported knowing a friend or classmate involved in betting.

Participation increased with age, and early exposure often came well before students reached any legal threshold for gambling activity.

Jose Scioli, Director of Cruz Roja Argentina Humanitarian Observatory, linked the trend to easy access to payment tools and constant advertising around sports and betting. According to him widespread adoption of digital wallets has made online gambling reachable even for underage users, regardless of whether platforms hold local authorisation.

Peer Influence And Wallet Technology Drive Teen Betting

Peer groups played the strongest role in drawing students toward betting. Among those who had gambled, 57 percent said they first reached a betting platform through friends. Payment behaviour also stood out, with 83 percent of teenage bettors using digital wallets and 43 percent relying on intermediaries to place wagers for them.

Students across the sample reported heavy exposure to gambling promotions. More than 70 percent said they encountered promotional content often, even if they never placed a bet. Many could not identify which platforms were legal, and nearly 80 percent believed current age verification systems did not work.

Mental Health Pressures And Academic Impact Show Up Clearly

Among students who had gambled, the survey revealed clear signs of stress. A total of 79 percent acknowledged addiction risks, 69 percent said they experienced anxiety symptoms, and 12 percent reported falling into debt. About half reported sleep issues and drops in academic performance linked to their betting activity.

Gender patterns were also pronounced. A total of 24 percent of male students admitted to betting, compared with only 8 percent of female students. Boys also reported higher frequency and more regular participation.

Family environment added another layer of risk. The study found that 40 percent of teenage bettors lived with adults who also gambled.

Report Calls For Stronger Controls And New School Programs

The findings prompted a series of recommendations from the research team, including enhanced monitoring of betting platforms and coordinated blocking of illegal sites. Suggested steps also included stricter rules on advertising, stronger protections around digital wallets, and integrating gambling-risk education into school digital literacy programs.

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