Spain\u2019s online gambling operators will only be allowed to advertise on radio or TV in a four-hour window starting at 1am under new regulations proposed by the government.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, Minister of Consumer Affairs\u00a0Alberto Garz\u00f3n<\/strong>\u00a0met with representatives of gaming industry associations CeJuego and Jdigital to discuss the government\u2019s plans to restrict gambling advertising. The government plans further meetings with a variety of stakeholders, including local gambling companies, media outlets and responsible gambling charities.<\/p>\n Spanish media\u00a0had already reported that Garz\u00f3n\u2019s \u2018first round\u2019 proposal would limit online gambling ads on television and radio to a four-hour window starting at 1am. Internet ads will also face restrictions but specifics won\u2019t be revealed until the government releases a draft of its new proposal within two weeks. A consultation period will follow, but Garz\u00f3n wants the new rules enshrined in law by summer.<\/p>\n The government is reportedly still mulling how to address land-based promotion of gambling as well as sponsorships of sports teams, with the government apparently still studying the potential impact that changes might have on existing sponsorship arrangements.<\/p>\n The new advertising limits will apply equally to both private operators and the two\u00a0state-run lotteries: SELAE and ONCE. However, there\u2019s some uncertainty as to whether certain lottery products might be exempted from the rules, thereby preserving the favoritism shown to the state firms, even as studies show they\u2019re responsible for most of the\u00a0growth in gambling advertising\u00a0over the past few years.<\/p>\n Following the meeting, CeJuego issued a statement saying it \u201cpositively valued\u201d its first meeting with Garz\u00f3n and that it shared the government\u2019s view that there was a need to \u201cmeet the existing social alarm through a calm dialogue with the sector based on rigorous studies.\u201d<\/p>\n Mikel L\u00f3pez de Torre<\/strong>, chairman of Spain\u2019s online gambling industry association\u00a0JDigital, issued a statement saying he also had a \u201cpositive assessment\u201d of Thursday\u2019s meeting although he reserved final judgment until the government offered more specifics on its plans.<\/p>\n L\u00f3pez added that he\u2019d mentioned the\u00a0ban on gambling advertising and sponsorship\u00a0in Italy\u2019s infamous Dignity Decree, which official data showed had not only failed to reduce gambling participation but ultimately drove gamblers toward internationally-licensed sites not subject to Italy\u2019s constraints.<\/p>\n L\u00f3pez also reminded the government of the need to impose \u201cfair, equitable and proportionate regulation of the reality of gaming in Spain,\u201d citing research that showed the country had\u00a0one of the lowest problem gambling rates\u00a0in Europe.<\/p>\n