The Senate of Spain November 2 passed a reform of the Gambling Law of 2011 that will crack down further on advertisements and enhance the fight against problem gambling.
The vote was to amend the law to “improve controls on sports manipulations, betting fraud and expand protections for problem gamblers.”
The major change will allow the gaming regulator Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ) to operate a centrally controlled database of “persons involved in illicit gambling activities or betting/gambling related frauds.”
The “Global Betting Market Research Service” (SIGMA) will be accessible to “all entities interested in eradicating fraud and manipulation of sports,” such as law enforcement, sports federations and licensed operators. It will be operated by DGOJ.
The changes in advertising rules and consumer safeguards were proposed by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. The advertising changes further support the Royal Decree on Advertising that took effect last year which banned sports betting sponsorships and limited hours for gambling ads on TV and radio.
It requires operators to keep advertisements “socially responsible,” otherwise they can be banned.
Operators must also make consumers aware of self-exclusion, support hotlines and customer care immediately when they enter a website and require customers to set limits on session times and amounts spent at online casino sites.
Online casinos will no longer have tabs that promote intensive play with messages such as “play again” or “you were close to winning.” They may not market their products as enhancing self-esteem, social success, economic welfare or health.
The Ministry is also authorized to create a “National Registry for Self-Exclusion.”
Many online gaming restrictions were introduced during the pandemic. Some were lifted as the pandemic receded and then reintroduced with the Royal Decree. The new bill adds even newer restrictions.
Penalties range between €150 and €10,000 for minor offenses, up to €1 million for serious offenses.
