Spain passes new rules on gambling advertising

The Council of Ministers has formally approved the new restrictions.

Spain.- The country’s Council of Ministers has unanimously approved Spain’s Royal Decree on Advertising, introducing strict new rules on gambling advertising similar to those in place in Italy.

The federal law will restrict all television and radio gambling advertising except for the ONCE and SELAE lotteries to a night time window between 1am and 5am.

Digital and social media adverts must include age filters to be approved before viewing.

Gambling promotions and content will also be prohibited from featuring active or retired athletes or other celebrities. Welcome bonuses will be limited to one single offer worth up to €100.

As previously revealed, football clubs will be allowed to continue existing sponsorship agreements with gambling operators until the end of the current season.

The new rules were approved by the government early in the year but were delayed owing to amendments added by Alberto Garzón, Spain’s consumer affairs minister.

Garzón is reported to have written to clubs that have sponsorship agreements with betting firms to clarify that the agreements must terminate at the end of the season in June.

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has argued that the new decree is contrary to European fair competition laws because of the exceptions made for the state-run ONCE and SELAE lotteries.

In England, the EFL has recently defended the role of gambling advertising in football.