Operator News
Spain – Basque government the latest to impose ban new licences
By Phil - 15 January 2020
The Basque Government will suspend the granting of permits for the installation and operation of new gaming venues in the Spanish autonomous community, until it revises the current General Game Regulations, a process that could be extended for nine months.
The Basque Government Council will also prevent reforms in any gaming venue that involve any expansion and will also prevent the granting of new permits for the operation of gaming machines.
This measure does not affect the seven gaming centres – five game rooms and two bingo halls – which to date already have already been authorised and could open soon. Currently in the Basque Country there are 205 slot parlours, 34 bookmakers, 14 bingo halls and two casinos.
The Regional Government Security Minister, EstefanÃa Beltrán de Heredia said that the objective of the revision of the regulation is “to reduce the risks of improper use of gaming and avoid, as far as possible, problems of addiction among young people.”
Specifically, the improvement of entrance controls to gaming venues will be analyzed, the distance between these venues and educational centres will be reviewed, and efforts will be made to improve coordination between public administrations when it comes to protecting the most vulnerable sectors of society. The suspension comes as the Basque Government begins a new procedure which will review planning laws and gaming in the region.
A number of local governments are seeking to restrict the number of licences to sports betting shops while calls for advertising restrictions are increasing on a national level. This week, the Government of the Balearic Islands decided to suspend the authorisation of new gambling halls on the islands during the next two years, while implementing a plan to limit the offer of slot machines and betting establishments. In November the Governing Council of Madrid agreed on the urgent passing of a decree that will temporarily suspend the opening of any more gambling venues. In October Barcelona became the first Spanish city to prohibit the opening of gambling venues in order to curb gambling addiction and Seville is now looking to impose a raft of new restrictions on the industry.
Caption: Gran Casino Bilboa
