Finally, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Alberto Garzón, has yielded to institutional pressure. In the previous agreement that the PSOE and Unidas Podemos Party established, they wrote the bases of what was going to be the most restrictive regulation in Europe in terms of advertising. However, the Draft Royal Decree Law on Commercial Communications of Gaming Activities has demonstrated the strength of gaming operators in Spain against the weakness of the Government itself.
Advertising at sporting events after 8:00 p.m.
The most critical and controversial point of the agreement is the regulation of online gambling and betting advertising. Finally, it has been decided to lift the veto on radio and television advertising. Thus, gaming operators will be able to advertise in broadcasts of sporting events, such as soccer matches and other events, from 8:00 p.m. The Government had been blunt and firm in the decision that there should be no publicity throughout the day and this could only be publicized between 1 and 5 in the morning.
Among the 100 measures approved is the regulation of advertising related to public figures. In this way, it is totally forbidden for gaming operators to use active athletes or famous people to advertise gaming companies, since they have a great influence among younger groups.
Another of the most controversial measures is the maximum welcome bonus. In the first meetings it had been agreed that the Welcome Bonus would have a maximum of 200 euros. However, finally the regulation estimates that it will be 100 euros, like the loyalty bonds.
Curb gambling among the youngest
Gambling and sports betting houses must implement parental control tools to prevent minors from accessing the game. In addition, minors under 18 years of age will be prevented from following official accounts of gaming operators on social networks. These measures envisage fighting and eradicating pathological gambling in Spain. According to Spanish Government sources, gambling affects 0.4% of the population. However, among young people between the ages of 18 and 25, Spain has the highest rate of gambling in Europe.
If the gaming regulation law is breached, they will go from 100,000 to one million euros for infractions considered serious. If the offenses are very serious, the penalties will range from one million to 50 million euros. The law provides for the revocation of the license to the offending operator if necessary.