The Spanish regulator has dampened expectations among operators that the legalisation of online slots and exchange betting is imminent, saying it needs more time to consider the potential risks to players.
Director general of the DGOJ Enrique Alejo, speaking at a presentation in Madrid yesterday afternoon, told an audence consisting mainly of foreign operators that any adjustment to the regulated dot.es gambling market would be “based on evidence, and in keeping with the general interests of citizens.”
The agency, outlining its work and plans for 2013, said its desire was to create a fully transparent market which offered player access to trusted online gambling in all aspects, from safety of funds to data protection, so generating user confidence in the developing dot.es market.
The DGOJ provided figures showing that the number of players had more than doubled since September. It said that while it expected growth to be slower from this point onwards, it would “relaunch a campaign for safe play in the first half” of 2013, aimed at raising awareness of the associated risks among Spanish players.
The Spanish gaming regulator also announced it would soon invite comments on the proposed authorisation of slots and exchange betting - with operators able to submit reports and studies - and also establish a timetable for it to respond to the consultation. In the case of exchange betting, the regulatory authority said it lacked “accurate information and studies” that analysed the effects on Spain of authorising this product.
As well as putting the brakes on the regulation of slots and exchange betting, the DGOJ also highlighted that it was bound under the Spanish gaming law to re-open the application process for new licences in May of this year, when it is also due to review in-play betting restrictions. As with slots, in-running betting was not included in the first wave of regulation in Spain.
The EU Member State’s regulator also referred to continued cooperation with other European countries, including moving towards potential pooling of poker liquidity with countries such as France and Italy. It however also cautioned that progress in this respect would be slower in France’s case.
The DGOJ also reported the existence of a blacklist of more than 250 websites operating illegally in the territory without a local licence, and that it continued to pursue sanctions against the operators of these.”Our goal is to anticipate the problem and give the user full guarantees as to prevent gambling addiction,” said Alejo.
Alejo also observed that the future of online gambling in Spain would be controlled by large international players, reflecting the tendency of that sector towards globalisation.
Article written by Stephen Carter
