Mikel Arana, head of the General Directorate for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ), has given his first official interview since his appointment in full lockdown; and, as expected, the already controversial draft of the Royal Decree was the main topic.
Mikel Arana highlighted the importance of article 37 of decree 11/2020 in relation to the state of alarm, which allowed to ban online gaming advertising, as well as welcome bonuses.
He stated "when advertising disappears, the number of new players declines, with a drop of 9% until May." Regarding this result, Arana said that from his office "we blame it basically on two factors: the decline in advertising, there is no permanent input, and the prohibition of welcome bonuses, which are largely the gateway to new players."
On youth and their relationship with the game, he explained that “the main percentage of new players is in the age group of 18 to 21 years. They are people who are still with their personalities unfinished and are much more likely to react to advertising and have problematic consumption."
Secondly, the director of the DGOJ emphasizes that an urgent request was made before the European Commission, so depending on whether it proceeds or not, the Royal Decree could go to the approval phase in the Council of Ministers at the beginning or at the end of autumn, that is, in any case before the end of the year.
Continuing with the issue of deadlines, Arana said "When it is approved, a large part of the measures will come into force and there will be others that will have their moratoriums, we will see in what time frames to adjust".
Regarding the public game of State Lotteries and ONCE, he says that the differences in the measures applied to the private game respond to the fact that they are “not for profit” and adds that “even from a social point of view. The perception is not the same”.
Referring to the sponsorship of betting shops in competitions and specialized sports media, Arana argues that they are not the only sponsorships available, recommends looking for a different one such as Banco Santander, and also asks "football clubs if they do not see a conflict of interest in which betting shops sponsor sports competitions.”
On the other hand, regarding the committed survival of sports newspapers, he commented that "ten years ago there was no advertising by online operators and the media existed."
Later, Mikel Arana denies that there was a significant increase in illegal gaming during the pandemic, while admitting that online gaming consumption does not rise and in his words "We are basically where we were last June".
Also, he mentions the need for a macro project when he states that "We have to go to a comprehensive plan of new leisure models, which is not seen as a socialization activity among friends."
Arana speaks of a comprehensive plan also when he mentions the prohibition of loot-boxes or the use of credit cards.
Regarding the loot boxes, he explains that it is a matter to be worked with prudence and “it is something we are working on with different regulators at the European level: United Kingdom, Holland, Portugal… We understand that it transcends the state sphere and has more to do with the European level.”
In reference to the possible prohibition of the use of credit cards in gaming, he states: "We are talking about a confluence from the technical point of view of the DGOJ, the banks and the operators themselves, with all that this implies."
Finally, regarding gaming competencies, he reiterated that they "have been absolutely scrupulous so as not to invade anyone's competences."
Read full interview on eldiario.es
18+ | Juegoseguro.es – Jugarbien.es
