Last Friday, online gambling operators in Spain were slapped with over 100 new restrictions that are targeting their ability to promote their products and services to the country’s residents. Issued by Alberto Garzón, the country’s Minister of Consumer Affairs, the new measures will restrict up to 80 percent of the existing online gambling adverts.
The country’s cabinet members are to begin discussions on the proposed changes on Monday following the publication of the Royal Decree. There are, however, reports that the proposed measures have already been submitted to the European Commission and are awaiting approval.
Protecting Public Health
As it turns out, the proposes restrictions are based on the minister’s belief that the gambling industry is having some negative impacts on public health. The protection of the youth from gambling-related harm was one of the minister’s left-wing Unidas Podemos party’s biggest promises when they formed a coalition government with the Socialist Party at the beginning of the year.
The Spanish gambling industry has gone through tremendous growth over the past decade with everything moving in favor of online gambling, casinos, and sports betting. As a result, the state-owned lottery has seen huge declines in customers and the same goes for the slot machines typically found in Spanish pubs and restaurants.
The Restrictions
Some of the changes that are expected include the limitation of al online gambling ads on radio, television, and radio to a four-hour window beginning at 1 am. The gambling operators will still be allowed to advertise during sports broadcasts but only after 8 pm. These adverts will not be allowed to contain persuasive language or any information about specific in-play wagering markets.
“The regulation has to be similar to tobacco. We are not regulating the textile sector here, but a sector that has an impact on public health,” the Minister for Consumer Affairs said.
Online gambling advertisements will also be prohibited in public where minors are likely to be found. The protection of minors is a key component of the new measures and it will extend well beyond the online space. For instance, soccer clubs will no longer be able to sell jersey to children if those jerseys are have gambling brands on them.
Is Gambling That Big A Problem in Spain?
Well, apparently not. The efforts of the public affairs minister seem to be more of preemptive moves that are to prevent more occurrences of gambling-related harm. As it stands, Spain has one of the lowest problem gambling rates in Europe at just 0.4 percent.
Gambling operators in the country have been treading very carefully especially with regards to the protection of minors. This is particularly due to studies and reports that have suggested that the country has one of the highest rates of underage gambling in Europe.
As gambling, especially on sporting activities, continues to grow and become more accessible, more consumer protection has to be put in place.
