Spain braces for clampdown on gambling ads

[The Buzz]

Stop us if you've heard this one before . . .

It appears gambling operators in Spain could be facing tougher advertising rules as the government looks to introduce restrictions similar to those placed on tobacco. Various sources in the Spanish press have reported that the new regulations will form part of the 2019 Budget.

From iGaming Business:

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who leads the ruling Socialist Workers Party (PSOE), has struck a deal with the socialist Podemos party on the proposed Budget.

The agreement, also signed by Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias, sets out plans to introduce restrictions “similar to that of tobacco products”, according to the PRnoticias.com website.

In 2005, Spain introduced regulations that prohibit the sponsorship of tobacco products, as well as all kinds of advertising and promotion in the media, with a handful of exceptions.

A recent study by InfoAdex found gambling companies spent more than €143m (£126m/$165.5m) on advertising in 2017, up 1.8% on the previous year.

The proposed Budget states: “It is increasingly common that the broadcasts of sports matches of football or basketball are flooded with ads that offer betting live, making this activity very accessible for all type of people, including minors, generating serious problems of addiction and gambling.”

The Audiovisual Council of Catalonia (CAC) has previously supported plans for betting ads to be prohibited on television between the hours of 6am and 10am.

However, the proposed rules changes have not been welcomed by all quarters. Begoña Élices, president of the Spanish Association of Advertisers, has said that companies should be allowed to advertise their services when they want “in a free and democratic society”.

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