Spanish Sports Association: We deserve “significant compensation” from the gambling industry
Trade body requests revenue percentage to fund multiple initiatives including gambling-harm prevention programme
Spanish sport should receive “significant compensation” from gambling companies, according to the head of an influential sporting body.
José Hidalgo, president of the Spanish Sports Association (ADESP), has told the Ministry of Consumer Affairs that a percentage of revenue gained by gambling firms should be funnelled back to the Spanish sports industry to help support several initiatives.
In the organisation’s first meeting with the government, Hidalgo proposed his plans to Secretary General for consumer affairs and gambling Rafael Escudero Alday.
The reimbursed funds would be used to develop young talent, fight match-fixing and support gambling-harm prevention programmes, according to Hidalgo.
Speaking in the meeting, Hidalgo said: “The federations and their athletes are the ones who generate and organise the activities around which gambling firms’ business revolves.
“Consequently, we must receive some type of significant compensation,” he added.
The ADESP noted the response from the ministry had been “very positive” and that both sides were working together to achieve these objectives.
In a statement, the ADESP added: “This collection would also allow the Spanish sports federations to champion the integrity, transparency and improvement of governance.”