A gambling transformation is planned for Mallorca.
The well-known vacation spot is still in demand for tourists. Particularly alcohol enthusiasts frequently revisit the Balearic Islands, making Mallorca a go-to destination as well. Despite COVID, tourism is flourishing as travelers are eager to spend their funds there. Casinos are also affected by this, as casino-going is often integrated into nightlife or vacation plans. The Balearic Parliament recently passed a decree on Tuesday, which now prohibits using credit cards for gambling transactions. Here's what it implies for tourists.
Prioritizing Gambling Addiction Prevention
The goal of the initiative isn't to annoy gamblers or travelers - it aims to take an essential step toward prevention. Balearic Parliament member Joana Aina Campomar stressed this emphatically, highlighting the importance of players' lives and mental health. The ban on credit card payments in gambling should be a preventive measure because credit card usage can be risky.
For those battling gambling addiction, their judgment is impaired, causing them to use credit cards more and more. Consequently, they may accumulate massive debts that aren't actually theirs, plunging them into a debt cycle. These issues can drastically affect their lives, and become worse over time. To prevent the debt trap for gambling addicts, credit card payments are being prohibited. Many find themselves in financial trouble this way, perceiving gambling as the only solution to their money woes - subsequently piling up more credit card debts, while living in a state of detachment from reality.
How do credit cards work?
Credit card payments are essentially a form of borrowing - you're using money that doesn't belong to the cardholder. Each month, the credit card debts are then settled by deducting it from the stated checking account. Your personal funds actually don't matter; instead, it's about the credit card limit. This can be depleted without restrictions every month, putting people back in life-threatening debt situations.
The Danger of Credit Card Payment and Gambling Addiction
According to Joana Aina Campomar, credit cards and gambling dependency go hand in hand. The yearly report issued by the responsible supervisory authority in Spain shows that 73% of online gamblers use credit cards as a payment method. However, it's unclear whether this figure is for credit or debit cards.
For people with a gambling addiction, the option of credit card payments shouldn't exist, as they can't take responsibility for themselves. They rack up debts without considering the consequences, detrimentally impacting their lives. This doesn't affect all gamblers, but many do fall prey to this cycle. Thus, the deputy of the Més party in Mallorca sees the ban on credit card payments for every type of gambling as the only fix. Be it sports betting, lottery, casinos, or online gambling.
The ban on credit card usage comes with several benefits. It doesn't impact individuals with adequate means, who can finance their gambling however they like. They could opt for debit cards instead, or use cash.
Individuals with a gambling dependency can no longer rely on credit cards to gamble further should they exhaust their funds. This initiative is seen as an effective way to prevent gambling addiction, while not disrupting those who aren't affected.
What the new regulations mean for tourists - more cash on hand?
The changes shouldn't significantly affect tourists. They'd need more cash if gambling is on their agenda. Typically, tourists bring cash for casino visits. Very few resort to using credit cards in brick-and-mortar gambling zones.
Tourists don't necessarily need to carry additional money for their vacation, as that poses a risk. ATMs are present almost everywhere, allowing travelers from different countries to withdraw money at a small cost. The fee is usually no more than 5€, sometimes even less. So, there's not a dramatic difference in how much money tourists withdraw. Offline casinos wouldn't be harmed by the ban on credit card payments in gambling.
More gambling restrictions proposed
The ban on credit card payments in all forms of gambling isn't the only legislative change in parliament. The party also wants VAT to be applied to all gambling products. They find it unreasonable that VAT is charged on bread, but not gambling.
In addition, the proliferation of gambling halls on the Balearic Islands, particularly Mallorca, is being curbed. It was decided early this week that gambling halls and casinos in Palma must maintain a 500-meter distance from educational institutions and other places with minors. It makes no difference if it's a gambling hall or a betting office.
Conclusion
Tourists should face minimal disruption due to the possible new regulations. To gamble, they'll likely require more cash. It's uncommon for travelers to resort to using credit cards for casino visits. More cash could be unfortunate, depending on the risk of theft while traveling. Besides, ATMs are readily available, allowing people from diverse backgrounds to withdraw funds for a small fee. The offline casinos will remain unaffected.
The ban on credit card payments in all gambling forms is not the only proposal in parliament. The party is also pushing for VAT to be applied to gambling products. Currently, VAT is added to too many items; bread is one of them, but not gambling.
Additionally, the spread of gambling halls on the Balearic Islands is being suppressed, especially in Mallorca. It was agreed this week that gambling halls and casinos in Palma must be at least 500 meters from schools and other institutions for minors. It doesn't matter if it's a traditional casino or simply a betting office. Balearic officials decide on the future of gambling regulations.
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Source: www.onlinecasinosdeutschland.com
