:: Spanish Gaming News ::
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| About Spanish Game Legislation |
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Introduction The gaming management in Spain requires prior authorization from the appropriate administrative agencies in each case. These are The Central Government in the cases of the State Lotteries and Gambling (LAE) and the Spanish National Blind Organization (ONCE), and Autonomous Communities Administrations regarding to public or private games that are developed in their territories. According to the latest Annual Gaming Report during 2007 gaming sector handled about 31,000 million, up 3% of GDP of Spain, which clearly demonstrates its influence on the economy. Is a stable and growing sector.Brief history of the spanish gaming sector The legalization and opening of gaming premises took place in Spain in 1977 , with the arrival of democracy. The new policy is achieved through the Royal Decree Law 16/1977, of February 25, which allows the opening of casinos, bingo halls, and state control of these types. This decree meant that the regulatory remained in the hands of the state administration. After that, was created the National Gaming Commissions as central body to coordinate and control all activities related to the gambling. Previously only covered the Quinielas Soccer, Lottery National and a lot of provisionals ONCE. In 1981 are legalized slot machines and, later, in 1986 and 1988 was the legalization of Primitive Lottery and Bono Loto. From that moment we can say that gaming entered in Spain, through Casinos, Bingos and Coin-up machines. Simultaneously, ONCE was institutionalised regulating its lottery as national draw and abolishing others emerged from those years in other sectors. The gaming incomes were such that Administration was forced to regulate various aspects, and consequently those that affect the rights of the players in general and children in particular. The skills of the game is transferred to the Autonomous Communities by Royal Decree 1.710/84, of July 18, which states the transfers of functions and services of the Administration on casinos, gambling and betting. Since the transfer of powers, each of the regions creates laws and regulations applicable just to their own scope, so to operate in Spain has to adapt the slot machines to 19 regional laws. Betting For now, only two regions have regulated betting and laid the foundations to regulate electronic game in their respective territories: Madrid and the Basque Country. Madrid Regulation states: • betting must be in the new premises authorized for that, to be located on existing gambling establishments (bingos, casinos and game rooms). • organization and commercialization of betting requires administrative approval to be granted for renewable periods of 5 years, provided they are meet the requirements set by the Administration. Any company that meets these requirements can operate betting shops, prior approval of 12 million euros. In the Basque Country • The Department of the Interior put out to tender three licenses for betting operation. • It was required the candidates set up residence in the Basque country and a minimum capital of 1,000,000 euros. Taxation The Autonomous Communities determine tax rates. The tax rate is what the Administration takes from the profits or "win" of the gaming operator (total amount played less amount of prizes) or a fixed fee for the slot machines. In Spain "the win" is between 10% and 63%. Game Advertising Law 34/1988, General Advertising, of November 11 only refers to the game to accept to rule out game advertising from the general rules to be specially regulated by specific legislation on this activity. Specifically, Article 8 contains an estimate of regulatory development in the first paragraph to say that when "it's a question of game advertising may be governed by special rules or subject to prior authorization regime". The regulation on advertising is gathering dispersed in each of the regulations that deal with different types of gambling, taking into account that it is also competence of the Autonomous Communities, being necessary apply its regional laws on each game. Online Advertising Internet is the unfettered media for advertising. In Internet, in addition, the limits between advertising and information are unclear. |
spanish gaming news
