The leader of a Spanish land-based gaming trade association has called for the sector to provide more competition to the online gaming industry and level out the market.
José Vall (pictured), the president of the Spanish Association of Gaming and Recreation Hall Business Owners, said at a recent conference that the sector is the “only sector related to gaming that is declining.”
He added that online gaming is “growing by 28 per cent, public games are growing and private in-person games are declining, as others have more advertising opportunities (online gaming) or government support in the case of government-owned companies.”
Speaking at the 11th Gaming Hall Congress, Vall subsequently called on regional administrations to act as “referees” and “ensure a good coexistence.”
“When someone wins, another loses,” he said. "To gain advantages, we need to compete in hours, payment methods and gaming options.
“Anesar is prepared to participate in the process of formulating well-argued proposals based on solid foundations."
The event was held at the auditorium inside the Cívitas Metropolitano Stadium, the home of Spanish football team Atlético Madrid.
Matching the conference’s theme of “Gaming as Entertainment: Economic and Social Engine,” Vall said: “We must present ourselves as an economic and social engine, as a source of entertainment, and as a guarantee for citizens and administrations that gaming in our establishments is well-regulated and safe.”
