"Italy and Belgium have already done so, setting a precedent that must be followed by the rest of the countries where, as in Spain, the proliferation of these online gambling halls and games is posing a serious risk to society"
After Italy took the initiative to restrict the advertising of casinos and online games on television, recently Belgium has joined the initiative, becoming the last European jurisdiction to address one of the issues that are raising the alarm in many countries, among which of course is Spain.
This overexposure to gambling and betting, to which both adults and minors are subjected without a filter, tends to normalize this dangerous activity to levels unknown to date and which in a short and medium term will have devastating consequences for our society.
In recent years we have been checking the intensification of advertising related to this business in the Media, Social Networks, etc.
All this supposes a factor of risk for the increase of the ludopatía, as and corroborate official reports, professionals and associations of affected by the game.
Although not only is the possibility of playing and betting online a problem, since only a few months ago we debated in this same plenary session about the alarming proliferation of houses or physical gaming and betting rooms that are overcrowded by all the Spanish geography, spaces to which the regulations in force up to that date have allowed to be established and which now pose a serious problem for our society.
In this sense, as regards the online business and the regulation of its advertising, Italy and Belgium set the precedent so that measures can be taken at the national level to restrict the publicity and promotion of these activities in public media and within reach. of the entire population.
For example, the most striking measure they have adopted is the complete prohibition of television advertising from online casinos, which must also respect a stricter digital advertising framework in their online campaigns.
In addition, betting operators will not be able to advertise before 20: 00h and will not be able to do so during sports broadcasts.
And sports betting restrictions also affect the use of athletes or celebrities to promote gambling products, something that will be totally prohibited.
We believe that the initiatives taken by these countries are very positive and we consider it extremely necessary that they also be extended to Spain, that we are the country with the most gaming halls per capita, with all that that entails.
Therefore, we urge the Government of the Nation to take urgent action against the advertising of games and online betting houses on radio and television media and through the Ministry of Justice for the study and development of a series of legislative measures related to the advertising of the gaming sector, following the line of other European countries such as Belgium.
