Spain has recently expanded its gambling sector and now, the question about reducing the influence of the gambling ads is on the agenda. It seems like local gambling authorities do not make any compromises when it comes to protecting Spanish residents from being urged to participate in gambling activities.
It became clear that Spain-based gambling operators are to face serious restrictions related to the methods for advertising their products and services.
Spanish lawmakers have recently filed a proposal for putting particular restrictions on the gambling advertisements including sports sponsorship.
The main reason for such a move to be taken was the fact that the Spanish Senate members settled around the idea of promoting the responsible gambling and reducing the negative impact the gambling activities might have on the vulnerable part of the population, namely teenagers. Apparently, they considered the limited advertising options a suitable method for achieving these goals.
For the time being, the advertising of any gambling products and services is a self-regulated one. A motion is to be discussed anytime soon and the introduction of new rules and regulations related to the responsible gambling and proper advertising is expected to take place sometime in 2015.
The intention of the local officials is establishing strict rules for broadcasting gambling-related advertisements. The ads that pop up on the displays of customers’ mobile devices are also to be blocked. Apart from that, the ads directed at underaged people and currently promoted by media, will be completely banned as well.
The motion puts emphasis on the fact that more responsible gaming campaigns should be organized. For that purpose, the number of sponsorship deals involving sports teams and gambling websites has to be significantly reduced.
Yet, people familiar with the matter announced that some of the proposed changes in the regulatory code might not pass. Actually, it was too early to say for certain what kind of restrictions are to be imposed.
Paula Gonzalez de Castejón, a gaming lawyer of DLA Piper, commented on the matter and said that regardless of authorities’ will to restrict the advertising gambling products, the chances for some amendments to be excluded from the regulations are pretty high.
Although the outcome can hardly be determined at this stage, the expectations are for heated debates and disagreements, especially about the clause that is to reduce the deals between sports teams and gambling websites.
Regulatory bodies will announce their final say within a few months but whatever their decision is, leading online operators such as bwin.party and 888poker will definitely be affected in a negative manner.
