Key Moments:
- A Fundación Manantiales study reported that 27% of Montevideo students between 12 and 18 engage in daily online gambling.
- 42% of surveyed teens admitted placing bets online without their parents’ knowledge or approval.
- Experts are sounding the alarm for tighter regulations and better digital safeguards for minors.
Worrying Statistics Among Montevideo Youth
A recent investigation by Fundación Manantiales has uncovered significant levels of online gambling among Montevideo’s adolescent population. The study, which surveyed 925 students aged 12 to 18 across selected educational institutions, found that 27% of respondents admitted to wagering on online platforms every day. Additionally, 39% of all surveyed students indicated they had made at least one bet online, while 42% disclosed engaging in online gambling without parental awareness or permission.
| Key Finding | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Students gambling online daily | 27% |
| Gambled without parental knowledge | 42% |
| Had placed at least one online bet | 39% |
Rising Concerns from Health Professionals
Gracy Gómez, psychologist and coordinator of the Program for Prevention and Treatment of Pathological Gambling, has voiced significant concern about the current environment. Explaining the evolving landscape, Gómez noted: “There has been a shift in the gambling industry that has led to a much broader offering“, said Gómez. “The modalities have shifted; it is easier for youths to access gambling platforms, even from their phones.”
She described how schools have become increasingly aware of the issue, with teachers reporting students as young as 14 and 15 participating in betting activities. The Program for the Prevention and Treatment of Pathological Gambling, managed by Gómez, focuses on treatment and education in partnership with Uruguay’s General Directorate of State Casinos and the University of the Republic’s Faculty of Medicine.
Technology and Expanding Online Betting Options
Gómez emphasized that adolescent behavior now reflects patterns seen among adults. She pointed to issues arising with Supermatch, Uruguay’s sole legalized sports betting operator, after it expanded operations online: “Since Supermatch went online, many players have gotten out of control,“ she stated.
This digital shift has made gambling remarkably accessible, especially for vulnerable groups like minors. The phenomenon highlights how technological advancements can hasten the spread of potentially addictive behaviors.
Advocating for Stricter Oversight and Parental Monitoring
The study urges heightened regulatory controls and increased parental involvement to counter underage gambling. Experts warn that, in the absence of stringent verification methods, young people are likely to find ways to bypass restrictions, utilizing digital tools that can operate beyond national borders.
Public health officials have emphasized that early exposure to gambling can lead to wide-ranging mental health issues, such as impulsivity, financial difficulties, and persistent addictive behaviors into adulthood.
In response to the findings, authorities and educational leaders are expected to collaborate further in upcoming months to intensify awareness efforts and introduce stronger digital protections for youth.
Implications for Policy and Public Health
The Fundación Manantiales study reveals that youthful online betting in Montevideo represents a larger societal trend – the increasing digitalization of risk behaviors among teens. With smartphones and online gaming platforms readily accessible, adolescents are exposed to escalating risks amid insufficient supervision.
As Uruguay updates its regulatory framework for online gambling, a challenging balance must be struck between the benefits of industry growth and the imperative to safeguard younger generations. The latest findings underscore the urgent nature of this challenge, as young people face unprecedented exposure to high-risk gambling behaviors.
- Author
Daniel Williams
