The City Council of Totana has urged the Government of the Nation to urgently take measures against the advertising of online gambling and betting houses in the media, basically radio and television and social networks, thus complying with a municipal plenary agreement.
In addition, the Ministry of Justice has been asked to conduct a study and development of a series of legislative measures related to advertising in the gaming sector, following the lines of other European countries such as Belgium.
After Italy took the initiative to restrict the advertising of online casinos and games on television, a few months ago Belgium has joined the initiative, becoming the last European jurisdiction to address one of the issues that are causing alarms to jump in many countries, among which of course is Spain.
This overexposure to gambling and betting, to which both adults and minors are subjected without filter tends to normalize this dangerous activity to levels unknown to date and that in the short and medium term will have devastating consequences for our society.
In recent years, advertising related to this business has intensified without control in the media, social networks, internet, and so on.
All this represents a risk factor for the increase in gambling, as corroborated by official reports, professionals and associations affected by the game.
In this regard, as regards the online business and the regulation of its advertising, Italy and Belgium have set the precedent so that national measures can be taken to restrict the advertising and promotion of these activities in public media and reach of the entire population.
For example, the most shocking measure they have taken is the complete prohibition of online casino television advertising, which must also respect a stricter digital advertising framework in their digital campaigns.
In addition, betting operators may not advertise before 20:00 and they may not do so in sports broadcasts;
and sports betting restrictions also affect the use of athletes or celebrities to promote gaming products, something that will be totally prohibited.
From the City of Totana 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, which is the country with the most gaming rooms per inhabitant, with all that that entails.
The Municipal Corporation already joined, without fissures, at the end of last year, to curb the rise of gambling halls and gambling behaviors that are proliferating in some sectors of the population in recent times in the municipality;
and urge the regional government to improve the recent modification of the Law on Gambling and Betting.
The Plenary already approved a motion of the Municipal Group Win Totana-IU, unanimously, to urge the regional government to change the regional regulations to include the development of a regional strategy for the prevention of gambling.
In this regard, the previous Municipal Corporation has already agreed to request the elimination of commercial advertising of gambling halls and sports betting during children's hours, including sporting events broadcast on radio and television and elaboration of a territorial regulation of game rooms and bets.
