The regional governments of Spain’s 17 autonomous communities have agreed to develop an “interconnected self-exclusion registry” to assist problem gamblers.
The program, which will cover land-based and digital options, was approved by 14 states. The Basque Country and Valencian Province abstained, and the government of Catalonia voted against the proposal.
According to SBC News, Spain’s Gambling Policy Council, chaired by Minister of Consumer Affairs Alberto Garzón, has yet to define standards and requirements for the registry; autonomous government representatives will have four months to agree on and complete the technical framework for the self-exclusion program, which will be mandated by the central government.
A self-exclusion program was key to Garzon’s reform plan for Spanish gaming laws. It was applauded by online gaming association JDigital, which called it “an important advance in the protection of players.” The organization pledged to “offer our collaboration and knowledge about the operation of this industry in order to define and implement the measures that can protect gamblers in the most efficient way.”
According to JDigital, “the incidence of gambling in Spain remains stable in 0.3 percent of the population between 15 and 65 years since 2015, as indicated by the National Drug Plan.”
In recent months, central government authorities have cracked down on the gaming industry, banning gambling sponsorships, imposing advertising limitations and prohibiting the use of credit cards for betting.
The proposal is backed by the North African autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla, which plan to adopt the scheme as licensing requirements to join their online gambling hubs.
