Part 1: Spain – the state gives with one hand…
(more on this later in this report), Italy and Belgium.
Following the budget’s passing, the new
suggesting they would be counter-productive and
would set the market back even as the new tax
government said it was working on an advertising
rates promised further progress.
decree that states that the government’s In a statement, association president Mikel
objective “continues to be to increase the López de Torre said a move towards prohibition
demands, guarantees and control of gambling of gambling advertising would only benefit the
advertisements”. The suggested remedies include black market.
reducing the proliferation of gambling ads,
“We view the prohibition or limiting of access
particularly where they have an impact on children. to advertising verticals as a step back for the
Bearing in mind the recent ban in Italy, some market, which will hinder licensed operators
fear that Spain is heading down the same and place national consumers at risk of black
prohibitionist path. The latest reports in the market engagements,” he said. “The reality is that
Spanish press in late October suggested gambling at present, the only weapon of distinction that
will be “treated like tobacco”. Spanish regulated operators have is advertising.”
The Spanish online gambling operators’
Van Oort remains hopeful that the final
association JDigital hit back at the plans,
proposals will be less onerous than might be
Chart 2: Sports betting and online casino quarterly progression Q117-Q218 (€m)
120
100
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Q1 17
Q2 17
Q3 17
Q4 17
Q1 19
Q2 19
Source: DGOJ
Chart 3: Quarterly GGY progression — 1Q16-2Q18
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
1Q16
2Q16
3Q16
4Q16
1Q17
2Q17
3Q17
4Q17
1Q18
2Q18
Source: DGOJ
iGaming Business Market Monitor • December 2018
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