Spain's chief of police opposes excessive regulation.
Spanish police chief Javier Molinera has cautioned against overregulating the nation's gambling industry. While police do not currently see any issues in the market, there are discussions underway regarding strict advertising requirements and bonus limits. Here's a breakdown of recent developments:
No Major Issues Detected
The new Spanish PSOE-Podemos coalition government is planning to significantly tighten gambling laws. Molinera, who has headed the gambling and betting unit of the national police for seven months, recently weighed in. In an interview with the Spanish news agency EFE, he highlighted the safety of the Spanish gambling market and warned against excessive restrictions.
He stated that 13 agents, three special units, and 85 other employees maintain security in all parts of Spain. "We ensure [players] play responsibly and have access to a safe leisure activity" is the police's motto. Since 2014, the sector has been expanding steadily, but no serious issues have been observed. During inspections, everything is usually in order, and any transgressions are subject to penalties.
Police Operations in 2019
In 2019, the National Police conducted over 64,500 inspections and handed out 1,467 sanctions. These penalties ranged from violating opening hours and unlawful smoking in arcades to minors gaming and problem gamblers gambling. "Operation Arcade," a massive nationwide raid by the police, caused some controversy. The police found 28 minors and 184 adults unable to identify themselves among the 1,881 gambling halls they inspected. They arrested four people as a result. In response, Barcelona started reducing the number of gambling halls.
Mallorca, a vacation hotspot, also underwent increased scrutiny that year. Authorities in Palma criticized the growing number of gambling halls on the island. Palma now features one of the highest densities of gambling establishments in Spain. Inadequate entry controls were also criticized. To enhance security, new regulations are being introduced, such as requiring gambling risks to be displayed at venue entrances.
Too Many Rules, Possible Hike in Illegal Gambling
Molinera believes the primary issue in the Spanish gambling sector is the plethora of regulations. The federal government regulates online casinos, online betting, poker, bingo, and the national lottery, while the land-based sector is controlled by the individual regions. He mentioned a total of 17 separate regulatory frameworks. There are also specific rules for certain slot machines and casino games.
In general, Molinera views the evolution of Spanish gambling legislation positively. The police chief believes it is crucial for regulations to constantly improve. Additionally, preventing minors and problem gamblers from gaming is essential. However, he fears that overly strict regulations could push players towards unlicensed providers, where there is little control. He explained:
"Restrictions placed on the sector are ultimately placed on players. If players find they have to meet many requirements, there will be those who resort to unlicensed providers without control, which should be avoided."
Advertising Restrictions and Planned Bonus Limits
Molinera's warnings come as the Spanish gambling sector comes under the purview of the Ministry of Consumer Protection. The ministry is expected to publish a set of new regulations. Among them are a ban on credit cards and the equating of gambling advertising with tobacco advertising, potentially leading to a ban on sponsorship deals by betting companies.
The proposed measures will impact both land-based and online operators. The industry has expressed concerns about these regulations. The European Gaming Association (EGBA) urged the Spanish government to show more "moderation".
Recently, the Minister of Consumer Protection, Alberto Garzón, announced plans for a bonus limit. He specifically referred to welcome bonuses offered by online gambling providers. According to him, these bonuses attract both minors and problem gamblers. Consequently, he suggested a €100 limit on such offers.
The industry has responded, as expected. EGBA called on the Spanish government to exert more "moderation" and avoid further restrictions.
Conclusion
Molinera expressed that the Spanish gambling market is secure and stable, and excessive regulations could drive players to unlicensed operators, creating loopholes that are tough to control.
The Spanish organization representing online gaming firms, Juego Digital, criticized Judge Garzón for not considering the efforts made by these companies. They've already imposed a 200 euro limit on acquiring new customers. Additionally, advertisements are shown exclusively at night when kids and teenagers aren't around. So far, no political response has been received. We'll see what happens next.
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Source: www.onlinecasinosdeutschland.com
