The former Minister of Justice, Rafael Catalá, is new legal and regulatory advisor to Codere. From 2005 to 2011, Catalá was part of the board of directors of said gaming operator dedicated to online betting, casinos and arcade machines. Catalá joins Codere at a delicate moment for the gaming sector due to the regulation of advertising that the current Minister of Consumption, Alberto Garzón, wants to approve.
The gambling sector in question
In this new professional career, the popular deputy in Congress will not have executive functions until June as he had previously in the company. The Popular Party has given its go-ahead for the former minister to practice as a private lawyer while still playing an important role within the party itself. Catalá will combine his functions at Codere with his work at Atlético de Madrid, the presidency of the Belagua board of directors and his responsibilities as an advisor to the Herbert Smith Freehills law firm.
Rafael Catalá, new legal advisor to Codere, lands at a very delicate moment for the gaming sector, and above all, questioned by both the current government and society itself. Various institutions and associations have been demanding the regulation of the sector for years due to the dire consequences that they have mainly among the youngest and other risk groups. Since the arrival of online operators, gambling in Spain has grown exponentially. During the State of Alarm, the Government of the PSOE and Unidas Podemos adopted exceptional measures to limit advertising in online gambling and betting and stop the rise of gambling during confinement.
A very restrictive Gambling law
In addition, the Gaming Law promoted by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs is pending approval by the Council of Ministers in October. If approved, advertising for bookmakers and gaming operators would be curtailed due to restrictions. Among the planned measures is not to use athletes or popular characters, prohibition of bonuses and promotions to attract new customers or retain players. In addition to the time restriction of advertising or the elimination of sponsorship by the operators to football clubs or other sports.
Alberto Garzón foresees that the new Gaming Law will come into operation at the beginning of 2021. Until now, operators and betting houses are governed by the code of conduct of the General Directorate for the Regulation of Gambling, drawn up in 2012.
