Legislation
Spain – Spanish industry agrees on gambling ad restrictions
By Phil - 21 November 2019
The latest code of advertising conduct has been unanimously approved by the Joint Self-Monitoring Commission. New rules will prohibit active athletes from starring in gambling and betting advertisements.
The initiative was put forward by Jdigital – The Spanish trade association of digital gaming. According to Jdigital the industry has undertaken the establishment of additional control measures for radio, television and internet advertising in order to “strengthen the protection of consumers” especially when it comes to “minors and other vulnerable groups. ”
The measures, approved last week, introduces additional limits to advertising during certain hours, and will be effective within two months.
The new code establishes the prohibition of those under 25 starring in gambling advertisements; limits to 200 Euros the maximum amount of welcome bonuses shown in advertisements; and will reinforce the limitations of gambling advertisements broadcast during children’s hours.
The operators adhering to the self-regulation agreement will include a standardised warning at the end of the advertisement which urges players to play responsibly and remind viewers that online gambling is illegal for those under 18 years of age.
“This agreement is the result of a long process of almost a year of work and has been possible thanks to the efforts of all operators. We are very happy to be able to reinforce the message of responsible gaming that operators have promoted since the entry into force of the gaming law in 2012,” the President of Jdigital, Mikel López de Torre said.
The new regulations follow the ban on gambling adverts in the UK which coincided with the start of the football season. The gambling industry announced the voluntary measure last year. Under the agreement, no gambling ads will be shown during live sport televised before the 9pm watershed for a “whistle to whistle” period beginning five minutes before the start of a match and ending five minutes after. The curbs exclude horse and greyhound racing.
Caption: President of Jdigital Mikel López de Torre
