The proposals to update Madrid's gaming machine laws has been welcomed by one of the largest operators in Spain. R Franco said that the regulations will incorporate many of the issues requested by the industry and bring the province's regulations into line with most of the rest of Spain's 17 communities.
Recognising the four sub-sectors of the industry, bars, arcades, bingo halls and casinos, the proposals will come as welcome relief to an industry which has faced a considerable drop in income through the operation of obsolete machines.
In bars, a stake of €0.20c with three simultaneous bets is permitted, with a prize of 400 times the bet. Time limits are set at 360 games in 30 minutes, minimum payout is set at 70 per cent and video-based games are permitted for the first time.
In arcades the speed of games is the same, but the €0.20c bet may be multiplied up to five times, the top prize is 1,000 times the bet and linked games may pay out a top prize of €2,500.
In bingo halls, the multiple bet may be up to six, prize is 1,000 times the bet, play cycle is set at three seconds and a linked prize may be €18,000. The use of bingo type machines in arcades is also mentioned in the proposals without being specific.
In the case of casinos, the limits are to be set with each approval.
