Operator News

Spain – Balearic Islands won’t allow any new licences for two years

By Phil - 13 January 2020

The government of the Balearic Islands has approved the suspension of the granting of any new authorisations for the opening of gambling halls for two years.

The two year period will give the government time to decide on new rules when it comes to where any new facilities can be built and the future of the industry in general.

The suspension will start once the agreement is published in the Official Gazette of the Balearic Islands. The period of two years may be extended however if once the 24 months have elapsed, the future planning decree for gaming establishments in the Autonomous Community has not yet entered into force.

The measure was put forward by Vice President of the left-wing electoral alliance Unidas Podemos, Juan Pedro Yllanes.

“It is an effective instrument so that there is no avalanche and we do not become a low cost Las Vegas,” he said adding that in recent years, gambling had become a “social problem” with a particularly harmful impact on the most vulnerable.
According to an Executive press release, “it is a provisional, preventive and temporary measure.” The agreement reached on Friday according to the regional Executive, was necessary for “reasons of general interest of public order, public health, security and the protection of the rights of the users of games,”

The agreement also includes a future study into the industry as well as other actions necessary to process the future decree concerning the planning permission of gaming establishments. Approving this planning is the responsibility of the Governing Council, “taking into account the reality and social impact of gambling and betting, its economic and tax implications, and the need to diversify gaming.”

The Balearic Islands receives about 34 million Euros each year from gambling that takes place in the three casinos, four bingo halls and 4,000 slot machines on the Islands.