Spain’s gaming regulatory body, the DGOJ, has issued new guidelines for gaming halls about to reopen for business.
According to SBC News, Spain’s federal council has been working since mid-May to gradually ease lockdown restrictions, allowing retail and leisure businesses to reopen on the condition that they obey strict social distancing measures.
According to one requirement, no Spanish gambling venue may reopen that does not have “direct access to public roads.” Gaming halls in confined spaces such as shopping centers and commercial complexes must remain closed until further notice.
The DGOJ’s order extends to lottery concessions, retail betting shops, arcades, bingo halls and casinos.
In related news, Spain’s largest gaming operator, CIRSA, reported that strong January and February growth was wiped-out by coronavirus losses.
Currently, CIRSA’s only active business is its Spanish online sportsbook Sportium; its performance has been disrupted by the postponement of 2020’s global sports calendar.
CIRSA plans to restart its Spanish retail operations this month, and hopefully bring back up to 84 percent of its furloughed workforce.
“Given the exceptional social and economic situation, management focuses on safeguarding the sustainability of the company, managing the decisions that protect its future in the short, medium and long term, including measures relating to the liquidity and solvency of the company and reducing operating costs,” said CIRSA management.
