Zona de Azar Spain – “New Restrictions Could Favor the Illegal Market”

Spain.- February 26, 2025 www.zonadeazar.com The general director of Jdigital, Jorge Hinojosa, has given an interview to MisCasasDeApuestas.com to analyze the possible reinstatement of restrictions on online gambling advertising in Spain.

These limitations, which were annulled by the Supreme Court in April 2024, could return through an amendment introduced in the law that creates the State Agency for Public Health.

With this modification, the government aims to restrict gambling operators’ advertising by limiting ads and prohibiting promotions aimed at new customers or the use of public figures.

According to Hinojosa, these measures do not respond to an emergency situation. “We are currently experiencing the lowest level of social alarm related to gambling,” he assures, emphasizing that the sector has maintained responsible behavior even after the annulment of previous restrictions.

A Responsible Sector Facing Fragmented Regulation

For Jdigital, the Supreme Court’s decision in 2024 represented “a small window to communicate transparently and truthfully the services and products that operators offer.” However, just a year later, the government wants to tighten conditions and “regulate gambling commercial communications through three different regulations,” which, according to Hinojosa, would create an inconsistent and difficult-to-harmonize regulatory framework.

The association’s position is clear: “What we advocate is reviewing the Royal Decree and drafting a new one in line with the present times.” He insists that the situation in 2020, when the now-annulled restrictions were imposed, is not the same as today, and highlights that “no better results have been demonstrated than those achieved with the Self-Regulation Code combined with operators’ responsible attitudes.”

The New Law and Its Impact on the Industry

The government is pushing this amendment through the Socialist Parliamentary Group and Sumar in Congress, but Hinojosa warns that “it is evident that the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and the DGOJ have undoubtedly promoted this amendment.” The uncertainty is total: “Today, it is difficult to predict whether the law will ultimately be approved and when.”

The Jdigital director is also critical of the relationship between the industry and the regulator: “There is a very different perception of the gambling market between the industry and the DGOJ,” which could hinder the implementation of effective policies against illegal gambling and unfair competition.

“Advertising Is Not the Problem”

One of the government’s arguments for strengthening restrictions is protecting public health, particularly among young people. However, Hinojosa relies on official data: “The National Drug Plan states that the rate of problematic gambling has decreased in Spain.” In fact, Spain is the second country in Europe with the lowest problem gambling rates, behind Denmark.

The executive also questions whether advertising at international sporting events negatively impacts young people: “I’ve seen operators advertising in German stadiums and players wearing betting house logos. Has this created a bigger gambling problem among young people? The answer is clear: no.”

Advertising Restrictions and Illegal Gambling

One of the sector’s major concerns is the impact of these limitations on illegal gambling. “Restrictions can create a market distortion, causing some operators with less visibility to face serious survival challenges.” Furthermore, while the DGOJ continues shutting down unregulated operator websites, “this strategy is ineffective since they can reopen a new one in just minutes.”

Hinojosa emphasizes that “the priority strategy should be equipping legal operators with tools” rather than applying restrictions that could fuel the growth of the black market.

Conclusion: A Market at Risk of Imbalance

While the online gambling industry continues to grow, stricter advertising restrictions could severely impact regulated operators and open the door to illegal gambling. Jdigital insists that the current model already ensures player protection and that “a more balanced market would allow for enhanced responsible gambling measures without imposing ineffective restrictions.”

The future of gambling regulation in Spain remains uncertain. Meanwhile, legal operators continue to adapt to an increasingly restrictive regulatory landscape in a sector that remains crucial to the country’s digital economy.

Edited by: @_fonta www.zonadeazar.com