SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Spain’s DGOJ has issued new guidance related to gambling venues reopening their business premises.
Since mid-May, Spain’s federal council has enabled provincial governments to gradually ease lockdown restrictions, allowing retail and leisure businesses to reopen on the condition that they obey strict social distancing orders.
Having reviewed the government’s ‘phase 2’ arrangements, the DGOJ has now published new guidance adding further transparency to the government’s 16 May announcement, which lifted a number of lockdown restrictions on retail and leisure businesses.
However, it will enforce modified conditions on Spanish gambling operators, prohibiting the reopening of gambling venues in confined spaces such as shopping centres and commercial complexes.
In its statement, the DGOJ underlined that re-opened Spanish gambling venues must have a ‘direct access to public roads’.
The DGOJ stated that this order is extended to all forms gambling premises including lottery concessions, retail betting shops, arcades, bingo halls and casinos. Should conditions change, these restrictions will be eased.
This May, Spain’s Consumer Affairs Ministry announced the appointment of Mikel Arana as new Director-General of the DGOJ, who will lead the gambling authority as the Spanish government drafts ‘stage 2’ of its federal gambling overhaul.
