The government blocks new gaming permits in Barcelona
The Barcelona City Council decided to block new permits for gaming rooms in order to “tidy up” the sector in the region.
Spain.- The industry received a new setback in Spain. This time, it was in Barcelona, where the City Council banned the opening of new gaming rooms. Mayor Ada Colau decided to “preserve citizens’ health and avoid problems they can create.”
One of the main reasons is “the negative impact and the social consequences for the population, especially the youth.” Thus, Barcelona seeks to “put an order in the gaming and betting venues.”
Currently, there are 53 gaming venues in Barcelona: 35 lounges, 17 bingo halls and the Casino Barcelona.
Protests in Madrid
Gambling remains a hot debate topic in Spain despite its success and contributions to state coffers. That’s why over 1,500 people took to the streets on major protests against gambling halls in Madrid. They mainly asked the government to close them.
“We were watching La Sexta at home and there were 10 sports betting ads in seven minutes of advertising. Journalists, artists and footballers appear on them. There are more problem gamblers than people think,” news outlet El País quoted a protester.
The protest was called by the Platform against gambling halls in Madrid. It gathers 168 groups in the capital and the Autonomous Community.
There are 385 gambling halls in Madrid and the Spanish Association of Gambling Halls highlighted its investment possibilities.
“The gambling industry doesn’t seek an unfair profit,” the gambling segment assured. “Neither to take advantage of the unprotected or the youth,” they added.
