Spain’s citizens’ rights ombudsman, Francisco Fernández Marugán, urges government to consider total gambling advertising ban.
An influential figure in Spanish politics is calling for an outright ban on gambling advertising.
Specifically, Spain’s citizens’ rights ombudsman, Francisco Fernández Marugán, has urged the government to look into completely banning gambling and betting advertising, across all media including TV, internet and radio.
The only suggested exemptions from the ban would be for games run by the State Administration (SETAE) and the Spanish Organisation of the Blind (ONCE).
Even if the government rejects a total ban, according to Marugán, they should still consider implementing strict controls, like prohibitions at certain time and a ban on celebrities endorsing gambling. Unsurprisingly, he has also called for existing Spanish licensing laws, sanctions and license holders to be reviewed.
Marugán is a veteran member of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) and member of the Spanish Congress.
The government is not legally obliged to implement the ombudsman’s recommendations, but it must respond to the proposal, and has a history of implementing most of them.
(Photo: www.defensordelpueblo.es)
