The financial crisis in Spain is one of the main motivations for moves to remove the ban on smoking in amusement and gaming centres.
In an attempt to help keep the industry afloat – and continue to attract tax revenues – the Spanish authorities are attempting to reverse the negative impact of the smoking ban.
In November last year, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy announced the intention to review the smoking legislation. This, coupled with the endeavours of former Euromat President Eduardo Antoja, may now bear fruit for the industry, overturning what is regarded as the main contributing factor to arcades’ downturn in the country.
Positive reaction has also come from Esperanza Aguirre, President of the Madrid community, which may take the lead in returning smoking to arcades. The central government’s Ministry of Economy has ordered the Ministry of Health to reform the legislation.
