Some regional governments in Spain are taking action to stem the tide of compulsive gambling among their residents. According to Forbes, the number of players is increasing annually, and rose 5.24 percent year-on-year in 2018, for more than 1.4 million active players. According to Spain’s finance ministry, revenues increased even more rapidly: in 2018 gross gaming revenues reached €699 million (US$775.8 million)—25.48 percent more than in 2017, while marketing costs soared 48 percent to €328 million (US$364 million).
The autonomous community of Valencia and the city of Barcelona are tightening local regulations. On October 22, Barcelona city council banned new gambling establishments including bookmakers, bingo halls and casinos in order to “preserve citizens’ health.” Mayor Ada Colau took the decision after having commissioned a study to the Health Department, which warned about the addictions and disorders caused by gambling.
According to Barcelona city council, 0.4 percent of the population between 15 and 64 have developed pathological problems in Spain (20,000 from Catalonia) and the number of people gambling online has risen from 637,000 in 2013 to 1.47 million in 2018. “This modality is more frequent among young people, who are at greater risk of developing a disorder,” they warned.
On October 25, Valencia approved a new regulation that pays special attention to the protection of the young and vulnerable. The draft law includes stronger controls of bookmakers to prevent minors and people with gambling problems to play.
Both Valencia and Barcelona have appealed to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to forbid gambling advertisements in the media and public spaces, especially when it comes to sports celebrities.
