Online Spanish slots – maybe mañana, says regulator

Spain’s regulatory chief, Enrique Alejo, said at an industry presentation in Madrid this week that his Ordenación del Juego intended to take the time to be thorough and careful before permitting the addition of online slots and exchange betting to Spanish-licensed operators’ gaming offers.

The regulator’s primary concern was the potential risk to players, he explained, saying that his decisions would be based on hard evidence and the interests of the Spanish public.

In furthering this goal, the DGOJ planned a consultative initiative on the introduction of internet slots and exchange betting, which would include an invitation to operators to make suggestions and recommendations and submit factual evidence.

The regulator admitted that at present the DGOJ did not have sufficient information to properly consider the possibilities.

Alejo claimed that since September 2012 player numbers in the Spanish market have doubled, and that enforcement measures against unlicensed operators in the market have resulted in a black list containing some 250 online gambling sites.

More Spanish licenses would be made available to applicants around mid-year, Alejo revealed, adding that a review of betting styles not currently covered in the regulations, like in-play betting would also be carried out.

Regarding online poker, Alejo confirmed that discussions had taken place with other European nations like Italy and France with the objective of increasing player liquidity through cross-border player pools.

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