Spain close to discontinuing existing sports betting deals. Spain is jumping the gun on a mulled sports betting advertising ban that would affect current sponsorships of gambling sports. On Friday September 11, the government announced that it would ban the display of gambling firms’ logos on the online properties of sports clubs starting in October, cited by local media.
There was no grace period stated, though sports teams plan to be updated closer to the date. Consumer Affairs Minister Alberto Garzón, a well-known opponent of gambling in the country, said it would implement a “short transition period”.
The ban will target the online segment specifically and companies will have to use the grace period to remove any signage and assets owned by gambling firms displaying on sports clubs’ online media and other digital channels, including campaigns and advertisement.
All of these changes are proposed under the Royal Decree which was introduced back in April with the Spanish government submitting an action plan to the European Commission for approval.
Garzón has been aggressively pushing for better consumer protection measures and specifically sponsorships signed between sports clubs in the country and sports betting companies. The rather hostile regulatory climate, though, hasn’t stopped Betway from signing a deal with RC Celta de Vigo, another Spanish soccer club.
[image: Clark Van Der Beken]
