Sportingbet has taken a major step towards obtaining an i-gaming licence in Spain.
The Spanish tax authority has stated that any online operator that has ever accepted revenues from Spanish customers has an obligation to pay Spanish taxes under two laws, one dating from 1966 and the other from 1977.
Sportingbet has completed self-assessment tax returns and will make a payment of €14m plus surcharges and interest of up to €3.2m. The payment of these taxes maximises the likelihood of securing a Spanish i-gaming licence. The company expects the payment to qualify it for the licencing round which is expected to be issued on June 1.
Upon receipt of a licence, Sportingbet intends to immediately apply to court in Madrid to cancel the current injunction over its Spanish-facing business. Obtaining a Spanish i-gaming licence will mark the next step in the company's stated strategy of increasing the proportion of the group's gaming revenue from regulated markets.
