SPAIN: Ministry of Consumer Affairs plans to approve the Royal Decree on gaming advertising in October

The Minister of Consumer Affairs, Alberto Garzón, announced today that his office is working so that the Council of Ministers approves in October the Royal Decree of Commercial Communications on Gambling Activity. Garzón explained that the project, sent to the European Commission (EC) two weeks ago, has passed the process without receiving allegations from any member country. For this reason, Garzón has celebrated the endorsement of the EC to the regulatory theses of the normative project.

Garzón, who appeared before the Mixed Commission for the Study of Addiction Problems today, explained that, already having the endorsement of the EC, the planned schedule involves having the opinion of the Council of State in September. Thus, the final approval in the Council of Ministers is scheduled for October.

Regarding the Royal Decree, Garzón has explained that it is a project that comprehensively addresses the problem of advertising and that it will prohibit up to 90% of the ads that exist today. Garzón is satisfied with a text that complies with the government agreement, which has the backing of Europe, with broad social consensus and responds to the concern of thousands of working families.


Gaming Policy Council
On the other hand, and after its postponement due to the state of alarm, Garzón has announced that the Gaming Policy Council is scheduled to be held next semester, in order to address the problem of regulation of land-based gaming, the responsibility of the Autonomous Communities. As Garzón explained, there is a majority interest among the autonomous governments in homogenizing regulation throughout the country with the aim of reducing exposure to the vulnerable population.

Garzón has also advanced that his portfolio will propose to the Autonomous Communities greater administrative cooperation in the records of access prohibitions to gaming.

Game rate
Finally, Garzón has referred to the work being carried out by the Ministries of Consumer Affairs and Finance for the reorientation of the fee for the administrative management of gaming paid by online operators. The aim is to invest a percentage in preventive, awareness-raising, intervention and control initiatives, as well as in repairing the negative effects produced by gaming activity. Garzón has said that he intends that part of the proceeds be used to minimize the negative externalities caused by gaming activity.