Mikel López de Torre, President of Spanish online gambling trade body jDigital, has warned the government that implementing stringent restrictions on gambling/betting advertising and marketing will be an ‘unnecessary step back for Spain’s gambling market’.
Last week, the PSOE minority government agreed with socialist party counterpart Podemos on the provisions of Spain’s 2019 budget, which is set to carry a number of severe restrictions on gambling/betting advertising.
Spanish news sources detail that PSOE and Podemos are set to ‘treat gambling like tobacco’, severely limiting the coverage of betting products to Spanish consumers.
Publishing a corporate statement, jDigital warns PSOE of regulatory overreach in its budget proposal, which may serve to simply grow Spain’s black market.
“We view the prohibition or limiting of access to advertising verticals, as a step back for the market, which will hinder licensed operators and place national consumers at risk of black market engagements,” said López de Torre.
“The reality is that at present, the only weapon of distinction that Spanish regulated operators have is advertising.”
Lopez de Torre leads jDigital as Spain prepares to welcome new market incumbents, with regulator DGOJ set to close its third licensing window this December.
jDigital’s leader details that to date, Spanish licensed online gambling incumbents have followed the laws and guidance on advertising set out in the ‘2011 Gambling Act’, a mandate that has had two public consultations in the last three years.