No objections
The European Commission did not raise any objections to Spain’s proposed strict new advertising restrictions for online gambling operators during a July 21 hearing on the matter, setting the stage for them to take effect as early as October.
intends to push the Council of State to approve the Royal Decree on gambling advertising
On Wednesday, Spain’s Minister of Consumer Affairs Alberto Garzón said he intends to push the Council of State to approve the Royal Decree on gambling advertising by September. He believes it will, followed by the Council of Ministers’ blessing by October.
The latest draft of the Royal Decree – deemed to an urgent matter by Spanish authorities – was sent to the European Commission on July 9.
The new restrictions
The proposed measures limit when online gambling operators can advertise on radio, television, and online media platforms, restricting them to a four-hour window from 1am to 5am. While the previous draft allowed advertising during live sports events, the newest one does not.
Betting companies would also be prohibited from sponsoring sports teams, competitions, and leagues. Gambling logos or names on stadiums and jerseys would be gone. Authorities are still considering whether or not to allow local governments to decide for themselves if they will allow sideline gambling advertising during games.
welcome bonus offers would no longer be a reality
There are also restrictions on the bonuses that online gambling operators can offer, with promotions only available to customers who have already made at least three deposits. Thus, welcome bonus offers would no longer be a reality. There was a proposal for bonus offers to be capped at €100 ($115.82), but the final decision will be in the hands of the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ) regulator.
Problem gambling in Spain
Speaking at a Wednesday meeting of the Joint Committee for the Study of Addiction Problems, Garzón said these limits on advertising were just the first step to battling the country’s problem gambling issues.
Cabinet ministers are considering using some of the money from license fees to fund problem gambling organizations. There will also likely be curbs to sports betting shops and other forms of land-based gambling.