Legislație

Spania – Restricții privind jocurile de noroc aprobate în Insulele Baleare

Government of the Balearic Islands has approved a bill which will modify Law 8/2014, which covers gambling and betting in the Balearic Islands. The objective of the bill is to reduce gambling related harm and provide greater player protection measures.

The bill comes in response to a growth of gambling in recent years, especially the rise of betting establishments as well as the growth of online gaming, which has in turn led to calls from the public and the regional and state public administrations to curb the growth of the industry.

Reform will incorporate provisions aimed at limiting the granting of new authorizations for gambling halls in the territory. According to lawmakers, the number of authorized gambling halls has experienced notable growth in recent years, and has experienced high concentration in certain areas. Currently there is a ratio of 108 land-based gambling establishments for every million inhabitants. These values place it as the third autonomous territory with the highest density of gaming supply. The government aims to reduce the number of gambling halls and betting establishments so that they do not deviate markedly from the average per inhabitant ratio when compared to the whole of the Spanish State.

At the same time reform will widen the distances between gaming rooms and certain spaces dedicated to education, the recreation of minors, and vulnerable people. In addition the new bill establishes an electronic age control system for the use of Type B slot machines which are present in bars and restaurants and increase penalties for those found to be breaking the law.

 In ianuarie 2020 guvernul Insulelor Baleare a aprobat suspendarea acordării oricăror noi autorizații pentru deschiderea sălilor de jocuri de noroc pentru doi ani. Perioada de doi ani trebuia să dea timp guvernului să decidă asupra noilor reguli atunci când vine vorba de locul unde ar putea fi construite orice noi facilități și de viitorul industriei în general.