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Spain – Catalonia’s casinos fail in legal effort to reopen but are granted rent relief

By Phil - 26 October 2020

Catalonia’s casinos have failed in their attempt to force the government to allow them to reopen following the latest bout of closures but have been granted some relief with a new decree allowing casinos, arcades and bingo halls to only pay half their rent during corona-related closings.

Bars and restaurants, as well as casinos and amusement arcades, have been in lockdown in the autonomous community of Catalonia since last Friday. The closings were initially scheduled for two weeks, but could continue if the number of new corona infections does not fall.

Presidential Advisor Meritxell Budó said: “The aim is to prevent businesses from closing down and job destruction, as well as avoiding overuse of the judiciary and facilitating an agreement within a period of one month.”

Short-term loans with a term of five years will also be made available in order to ensure that companies survive the corona crisis.

The Contentious Chamber of the Superior Court of Justice of Catalonia (TSJC) rejected a petition to reopen gambling venues. The Chamber rejected the precautionary measures requested by the Catalan Federation of associations of restoration and musical activities (Fecasarm), the Gremi de Restauració de Barcelona, ​​the National Association of professionals and freelancers of natural therapies (Cofenat) and the National Association of recreational machines entrepreneurs (Andemar Catalunya) and the Gran Casino de Barcelona, ​​Casino Castell de Perelada and Casino de Tarragona.

The court said due to the ‘colossal and extraordinary relevance of the pandemic situation’ the closures would remain in place.