How is the gambling law that will come into force in Galicia?

The Official Gazette of Galicia (DOG) has published on Thursday the new Galician gambling law, approved by the Galician Parliament in the penultimate plenary session of the session. The text went ahead on Tuesday June 27 thanks to the votes of the Popular Party and with the 'no' of the opposition (BNG and PSdeG).

The rule obliges gaming establishments to have access control that prohibits the entry of minors and people registered in the prohibited register. Likewise, it sets new distances within a radius of 300 meters from the schools —until now they were 150 meters in a linear way.

There will be a maximum of four casinos and four additional rooms, 12 bingo halls, 118 game rooms and 41 betting shops. In addition, a duration of 15 years is set for all authorizations.

The opposition changes

The opposition (BNG and PSdeG) considers this law a "great missed opportunity" that "will allow minors to play in bars" and gamblers from the self-banned registry. This support was denied by the group that supports the Galician Government, who maintain that it will not be able to, in the same way that minors are not allowed to consume alcohol or buy tobacco.

Among the changes introduced, through the amendments of the opposition groups, is the prohibition of installing betting machines in sports venues and fairs. It is also prohibited to grant loans or any other form of credit to the users of the games, nor to grant bonuses, free games or items that can be exchanged for money to the users of the games.

The regulation also provides that the different ministries collaborate and promote prevention policies through the development of gambling prevention activities aimed at the general population and adopt measures to discourage gambling-related habits and pathological behaviors.