Spain Limits Online Gambling Ads During Coronavirus Pandemic
Published April 2, 2020 by Sol FH
Spain's council of ministers has made the decision to restrict excessive online gambling advertising during quarantine efforts.
Spain has taken the necessary steps to limit online gambling advertising during the COVID-19 pandemic. In an announcement by the council of ministers, Spain told operators that they will need to limit the amount of online gambling-related advertising to try and avoid taking advantage of problem gamblers staying at home.
The recommendation came from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs citing the need “to prevent bookmakers from doing business with people’s concern and anxiety.” The order was issued by Pablo Iglesias, a government official who stated that the decision was made "in a context of confinement that makes it even more necessary to protect problem gamblers."
Addicted Players Seeking Help
Following an increase in the number of calls to problem gambling hotlines from problem gamblers, the government was pushed to act. Moreover, the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ) gambling regulator reported that online gambling had not slowed, even in light of a cancellation of all professional sports effectively ending online sports betting.
Bookmakers operating in Spain have changed focus to online casino operations to try and continue business-as-usual, as have numerous operators around the world.
Spain's new restrictions apply to all television, radio and online media. Only in February, Spain unveiled new online gambling advertising rules, and during the hours of 1 am-5 am, advertising may not appeal to players' boredom nor encourage them to take advantage of any bonus offers or to make any wagers online.
Third Highest Number of Infected
Spain has been on absolute quarantine since March 15th, and at the time of this report (April 2, 2020), Spain has the third highest infection rate with the number of infected topping 110,000 and over 10,000 dead. Spain is now pleading for help from doctors from neighboring countries but there is little they can do as COVID-19 spreads across Europe.
