While online gaming is big business in the UK and many other parts of Europe, and growing, Spain is changing its tune by forcing some of the companies that run sites operating within its borders to pull out until they can reapply for a license based on new criteria.
Spain is only the latest country to stutter when it comes to creating sustainable online gaming regulations. Germany is creating problems by trying to maintain a monopoly and France has a tax structure that makes gaming websites, quite frankly, not worth the hassle.
Microgaming, the world’s biggest supplier of software to online gambling sites has decided to pull out of Spain, as has NordicBet. Microgaming has decided to re-enter Spain when its regulations have been changed and made clear, and until then players who are using microgaming skins are being told their money will be transferred to their principal betting accounts.
Meanwhile, land-based operator, Cordere is happy to hear that Microgaming is taking a break, as they’ve been launching legal action against various betting sites and companies. They went after Bwin last year. Their justification for legal complaint is that any site running in Spain before new regulation will now have an unfair market advantage.
Recognizable UK brands, PokerStars and SportingBet have come under scrutiny as well, thanks to Codere. They’ve asked for an injunction to be placed on Spanish gamers via the two sports betting sites. The site, miapuesta, owned by SportingBet was blocked by Internet providers after such an injunction was granted.
However, PokerStars may have gotten away Scott-free. A court in Barcelona rules that an injunction is not necessary for them because they hold an E.U. located license. Just the same, PokerStars will be applying for its very own Spanish license once legislators in Spain have made the decision to allow legitimate gaming sites to run in their land.
