“We are not going to give in to any kind of pressure,” said Alberto Garzón when he was sworn in as Minister of Consumption. However, the extreme restrictions that were to regulate the advertising sector in Spain, thus making it a benchmark in Europe, have ended up bypassing the previous agreements. Finally Alberto Garzón gives in to online gambling even before starting.
Garzón gives in to online gambling
One of the most controversial points of the agreement reached by PSOE and Unidas Podemos was related to the advertising of online gambling and betting. The general rule limits advertisements to a specific time slot, from 1 to 5 in the morning. However, the ban on the advertising of online gambling and betting on radio and television is lifted. Gaming operators will be able to advertise in broadcasts of sporting events from 8:00 p.m.
A few days ago, the gambling association in Spain, CEJUEGO, demanded that gambling regulation should apply in the same way to both public and private companies. However, it will not. The Draft Royal Decree on Commercial Communications of Gambling Activities specifies that State Lotteries and Betting and the ONCE may continue to broadcast their advertising and will not have time restrictions. The only thing that is specified is that they will have to adapt the content of the announcements to the established regulations.
Famous people will not be able to advertise the game and the bets oline
In relation to public figures or celebrities, their participation in advertising related to gambling and online gambling is prohibited. In this way, the image of active professional athletes may not be used to promote the game. With this measure they seek to prevent and regulate the gambling market, and stop gambling, especially among young people. Spain has the highest rate of gambling in Europe among young people between the ages of 18 and 25.
Finally, the welcome or loyalty bonus for users must be a maximum of 100 euros. In the initial agreement between PSOE and United We Can, it had been agreed that these would be 200 euros. Children under 18 years of age will not be able to follow official accounts of gambling operators on social networks. In addition, the Autonomous Communities will have jurisdiction to prohibit advertisements on billboards and urban physical supports.
Fines of up to 50 million euros or license revocation
Failure to comply with Law 13/2011, of May 27, regulating gambling, establishes fines of 100,000 to one million euros for offenses considered serious. In the case of very serious infringements, the penalties will range from one million to 50 million euros. In extreme cases, revocation of the license to the offending operator is foreseen.
