Spain's Political Figures Clash Regarding Balearic Islands Casino Promotion Legislation
Political disagreements are brewing in the Balearic Islands, a well-known tourist destination located along Spain's Eastern coast. This scenic area is comprised of four main islands: Ibiza, Majorca, Minorca, and Formentera. The newest topic of contention involves proposed amendments to the Gambling and Gaming Law.
One of the most contentious aspects of the proposed legislation is the ban on gambling advertisement. Left-wing politician VP Juan Pedro Yllanes is a strong proponent of this move.
According to the revised law, gaming establishments and platforms would be entirely prohibited from advertising throughout the Balearic Islands. Additionally, the new law suggests creating a 1,640 feet minimum distance between casinos and schools.
On Tuesday, the conservative Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) expressed its opposition to the advertising ban. Other right-wing and neutral parties, such as PP (People's Party) and Vox, share this view.
The Balearic Islands: A Quick Overview
The Balearic Islands encompass a semi-autonomous region and province of Spain. This means that although they belong to Spain, the Islands have a higher degree of self-governance. Legislative power lies with their own Parliament.
The Balearic Islands boast a population exceeding 1.1 million and saw 16.4 million tourists in the past year. Out of these, a staggering 8.5 million traveled via air. The region has 108 casinos, gaming halls, and betting establishments, occupying the third spot in Spain for the highest relative number of gaming venues.
Unprecedented Political Alliance
The parliamentary debate heating up around the revised Gambling and Gaming Law led to a surprising alliance between socialist politicians. Some elected officials usually aligned with the left abandoned their traditional positions in favor of the right. This rare event highlights the severity of the gambling issue in the Balearic Islands.
The rivalry between the PP (People's Party) and the PSOE, both leaning towards the right of the political spectrum, runs deep. Despite their historical disagreements, they have come together in this matter due to its importance in their region.
Eventually, the lawmakers had to succumb to the collective pressure and make concessions. The final version of the Gambling and Gaming Law, which was passed, includes an amendment allowing for "advertising in brochures and dynamic advertising" for casinos. It also acknowledges the marketing of "complementary services in tourist establishments, ports, and airports."
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