The new Gambling Law comes into force today (Tuesday) with restricted advertising and an imposed minimum distance of 850 metres from schools.
The Law for the regulation of gambling and the prevention of pathological gambling in the Valencian Community comes into force this week, after three years in the making. The legislation includes new elements such as a minimum distance for gaming halls and betting houses (850 metres) from schools, restricted advertising and machines without light or sound when they are deactivated.
The objective of the new law, published in the Official Gazette of the Generalitat (DOGV), is to respond to the growing social concern about the proliferation of gambling in Spain, to protect minors, to provide security to customers and to prevent fraud.
Slot machines that are inside hospitality premises (such as cafeterias or bars) will have an activation and deactivation mechanism and will not be able to emit light and sound while they are not being used. This way, it is hoped they will not ‘entice’ gamblers when not in use. Hoteliers and cafe owners are required to install this deactivation system within one year.
The progressive elimination of betting machines is also proposed as licenses come to an end, and a new regulation on pathological gambling prevention has been adopted.
From now on, a minimum distance of 500 meters must be established between new gaming rooms, bingo halls and casinos. The Valencian Government may not grant new licenses or operating permits for new machines for up to four years.
Another aspect of the new legislation is to bar access to those who present symptoms of drunkenness or appear on a register of people excluded from access to gambling in the Valencian Community.
Fines for flouting new gambling laws will range from 601 to 6,000 euros and may include the temporary suspension of closure of the premises for up to one year. Very serious infractions will carry penalties of up to 600,000 euros and five-year suspensions. All proceeds of gambling fines will go to finance programs for prevention of and fight against gambling addiction.
The advertisement of betting houses will now be restricted in regional public media such as the Valencian television station À Punt. Tax benefits and other incentives will be on offer to media, sports clubs and associations that campaign against gambling.
Since its approval, the new gambling laws have brought about criticism from within the gambling sector. The Community Gambling Workers Union, which represents employees from the 426 gambling halls, presented a petition with 1,630 signatures against the new laws. The employers of the private gambling chain in Spain Cejuego warned that “it will bring about poverty and unemployment, which will add to that already generated by the greatest economic and social crisis in the country.”
The Valencian Business Confederation (CEV) also asked that the Covid-19 crisis be taken into account and that more jobs not be jeopardized with a law that it does not see as a “priority”.
Associations within the gaming and hospitality sector as well as workers’ unions jointly called for a paralysis of the law, predicting “great damage” to employment.