Mendoza introduces parental controls for online gambling wallets
The province of Mendoza has taken a key step in the regulation of online gambling and the protection of minors following the approval and publication of Law No. 9624. This new regulation, which amends the Consumer Defence Law, gives parents and guardians direct and effective control over virtual wallets linked to minors. The objective is clear: to curb access by children and adolescents to online gambling and betting platforms, a phenomenon that is of increasing concern to authorities and families.
The ease with which minors access online gambling services, often through e-wallets created in their name and managed without supervision, has become a cause for alarm in the online gambling sector. Mendoza thus responds to a growing social and political demand by giving responsible adults concrete tools to monitor and limit the use of these platforms.
Total control and transparency of minors’ accounts
The new law establishes that financial service providers that offer electronic wallets to minors, under the responsibility of an adult, must guarantee unrestricted access to all information on consumption, money movements and transfers. In addition, the responsible adult may close the account at any time without the need for intervention by the minor.
This measure represents a substantial change in the traceability of funds and in the ability of parents to exercise real supervision over their children’s use of digital platforms. According to the promoters of the regulation, the aim is to encourage parental responsibility and to provide families with legal instruments to prevent minors from participating in online gambling.
A response to the advance of illegal gambling
The approval of is not only aimed at controlling underage consumption but is part of a broader strategy to protect against illegal gambling. Senator Felix Gonzalez, author of the initiative, stressed that the measure aims to prevent minors from being captured by online illicit gambling platforms, often beyond the reach of traditional controls, according to local media reports.
Implications for the Latin American online gambling industry
The Mendoza regulation comes at a time of substantial expansion of online gambling in Latin America, where the growth of sports betting and digital gambling has surpassed forecasts in recent years. The use of virtual wallets and fintech platforms has facilitated the access of new users, including minors, to online gambling services.
Mendoza’s law introduces a model of parental control that could inspire other jurisdictions in the region, especially in countries where online gambling regulation still has legal gaps in terms of child protection. The traceability of money and the direct intervention of responsible adults set a precedent for the industry, which will have to adapt to new inherent demands for transparency and social responsibility.
For online gambling operators and financial service providers, the regulation implies the need to strengthen their age verification systems and provide clear channels for parental supervision.
Towards safer and more responsible online gambling for minors
The entry into force of Law No. 9624 in Mendoza represents a significant step forward in protecting children from the risks of online gambling. By guaranteeing the right of responsible adults to supervise and limit the use of virtual wallets by minors, the province sets a new standard for responsible gambling.
The challenge will be the effective implementation of the regulation and the interinstitutional collaboration between the state, financial service providers and households. Mendoza’s experience could serve as a model for other regions seeking to balance digital innovation with the protection of the most vulnerable users.
The online gambling sector in Argentina is facing a stage where social responsibility and the protection of minors take on a central role in the development of the industry. The Mendoza regulation seeks not only to limit but also to empower adults to guide and care for young people’s digital consumption in an increasingly complex and challenging environment.
This article was first published in Spanish on 13 May 2025.
