Changes to gambling regulations in Spain were announced on February 24 and are set to limit advertising during certain hours, as part of a new review of the business.
According to the new rules Spanish online gambling operators will only be allowed to advertise on radio or TV in a four-hour window. The Madrid government aims to implement significant restrictions on broadcast advertising specifically, restricting licensed operators to promoting their brands to television and radio from 1am to 5am.
As part of the new rules, two exceptions will be made, for both advertisements around live sports broadcasts and real-money contests. Advertising around live sports broadcasts will be permitted between 8pm and 6pm. However, these specific commercials must avoid all use of promotions or bonuses.
Also, they must not contain direct calls to bet, such as “bet now” and “play immediately.” Further new restrictions include no live information odds to be advertised during advertisements.
Further, new rules also say that “real-money contests” will only be advertised around programming slots not suitable for youngsters under the age of 18 between the hours of 10pm and 6pm respectively.
Refreshed restrictions do not stop there. Licensed operators will also be limited in their sponsorship of sports teams, including sponsorship deals with under-18 youth teams, while commercial sponsorship of entertainment venues and stadiums will also be outlawed.
Moreover, the Spanish government intends to close any loopholes, as well as placing further restrictions on all igaming providers with responsible gambling messages, put on all games and visual advertisements. In radio advertisements, two-second audio clips will play a warning to potential players following ads.
Now the law will go to a draft Royal Decree and is also subject to public consultation that concludes March 16. Following the public consultation, the new measures will have to be approved by parliament.
Ultimately, full implementation of the new rules is currently scheduled for June 2020.
