Wider e-gaming licensing in Spain attracting plenty of interest

By adding online slots and betting exchange action to the permissible genres of online gambling from June 1st, the Spanish regulator has given the sector a boost, according to industry observers.

The General Directorate of Gaming has revealed that from June 1st 53 new licenses have come into effect, an occurrence reflected in the rash of press releases issued this week by major industry companies that have secured licenses to exploit the wider market.

Among them was Amaya Gaming’s market leader Pokerstars, which announced that it plans to offer slots and sports betting action to its Spanish internet punters.

The regulator and government in France are clearly not as forward thinking, and continue to resist opening e-gaming sector licensing up to casino games despite a waning online poker market plagued by a restricted player pool and onerous taxation.

Usually knowledgeable French industry experts say there is little likelihood of any positive changes in both obstacles to growth, or for the introduction of casino games like online slots with a presidential election just eighteen months away influencing the behaviour of politicians.

The current head of regulator ARJEL, Charles Coppolani, has opined that internet slots are potentially addictive and therefore too risky to permit, and that he does not expect the legalisation of other online casino games in the immediate future.

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