Almost three years after the approval of the new Aragonese Gaming Law, the PP Government of the Community is working on developing the regulations with actions such as limiting the number of slot machines in bars, but has nevertheless left aside key aspects such as controlling access to these machines for minors or self-banned players. This has angered the group of people affected, who are demanding that the Regional Executive enforce the legislation so that these two sensitive groups do not have access to devices in hotel establishments.
Spaniards gamble around 34 billion euros a year, the vast majority – almost 30 billion – in head-to-head betting. At the same time, the average debt of people seeking help reaches 26,500 euros, according to the latest available data. Countless scientific studies have determined the “serious harm” caused by gambling, with not only individual conditions, but also social, economic or educational ones, and with implications for the entire environment of the addict.
On Monday, the General Regulations of the Aragon Games were made public, the main tool for developing the 2023 law, which appeared at the end of Javier Lambán’s government. A regulation which increased the restrictions for a legal activity but with an important social connotation, since it constitutes a major health problem. With two particularly sensitive groups: those who are diagnosed as drug addicts and are part of the self-ban register and that of minors.
Light signaling and complaints on recreational vehicles that contravene regional regulations.
Among the measures promoted by the regulations three years ago are the physical limitation of 500 meters between new establishments or the prohibition of withdrawing money with a credit card in the establishments themselves to be able to play, one of the most innovative aspects and which has generated the most protests among employers. Very relevant aspects have also been considered, but awaiting development, such as the obligation to install remote access and control devices in slot machines, to improve the control of those who use them.
Today, the Regulations for the Aragón Games – in the public information phase – include important developments that are appreciated by the group of parties concerned. On the one hand, it reduces the maximum number of slot machines in hotel establishments from six to two, or even exceptionally three when they belong to the same operator. In addition, it limits the total of this type of machines – called B.1 – in the community and sets the maximum at 5,600 authorizations, compared to 6,200 that existed until now. At the same time, bingo halls are obliged to close no later than 2 a.m. – like games rooms –, two hours earlier than currently.
However, the regulation does not address the implementation of mechanisms for the identification and control of B1 machines in the hotel industry. The Regional Executive limits itself to ensuring that it continues to “study”, despite the time that has passed since the approval of the law.
Currently, many slot machines in Aragon still do not include visual signs warning minors and those prohibited from playing. Others – as can be seen in the photo above – include these messages, but located next to QR codes that link to the company’s gaming offerings. And in many cases, contrary to what regulations require, slot machines continue to light up and call play when idle.
Those affected criticize the delay in developing these key aspects of the law. The Aragonese Association of Gamblers (Azajer) positively appreciates the improvements introduced, but misses the government of Aragon going further.
“Our opinion is that the law must be respected, and today it is not,” recalls its president, Miriam Gañán, who regrets that in bars the slot machines have “no access control” and that “the law specifies this”. “Sound and visual stimuli continue to be emitted, they have had time to comply with the regulations,” also deplores Gañán, who emphasizes that they continue to encounter “self-banned patients and minors who have played in bars.”
“Often, salons do not respect the rules, even with regard to advertising on networks,” he laments. And he cites as an example a recent complaint filed by Azajer for alleged violation of the Gambling Law by the salons of the Alea business group, with commercial communications on Facebook or Instagram in which the practice of gambling is encouraged and the attention of minors is attracted.
About The Author
