Operator News
Spain – Catalan gambling association slams decision to keep gaming venues shut
By Phil - 15 December 2020
The Catalan gambling association Patrojoc has slammed the decision to keep bingo halls, casinos and slot halls shut whilst opening shopping centres which don’t implement a strict access control that allows absolute traceability of customers.
It is considering appealing the decision of the Territorial Plan of Civil Protection of Catalonia and requesting a statement from the Catalan Competition Authority, saying the decision shows ‘contempt for the 8,000 people who work in the sector.’
Patrojoc highlights that the move is discriminatory as gambling is the only daytime activity with a ban on opening, without any health justification – and considers that this decision reflects.
Carlos Duelo, President of Patrojoc, said: “This unjustifiable and discriminatory decision is totally unacceptable from a health point of view, given that within a shopping center, the only establishments that have an effective control of capacity is the game. Bingo halls, casinos and lounges are safe spaces, free of COVID because they implement strict access control that allows absolute traceability of customers, beyond the implementation of health protocols. They are places in which there is not a large concentration of people, and safe distances, ventilation and air renewal of the premises, temperature taking, the use of a mask and the disinfection of machines and tables can be guaranteed. after each use. No source of contagion has been detected in any of our rooms.”
“You cannot despise our sector and its 8,000 workers. We want to continue contributing the E240m in direct taxes that we pay to the Generalitat, but in order to do so the Government cannot leave us on the bench,” he concluded.
