A dozen operators apply to enter Spanish market

The Spanish regulator La Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ) has revealed 12 operators have filed applications to enter its regulated online gaming market after re-opening the licensing window last month.

The DGOJ confirmed the operators had submitted a total of 20 general licence applications, nine for sports betting and 11 for casino games, with another 32 submissions for specific products such as newly regulated slots and table games.

The regulator re-opened its licensing window back in November, the first time since the launch of its regulated market in June 2012, after finally rubber-stamping the regulation of slots and exchange betting in July.

And the window, which closed yesterday, also saw existing operators submit seven applications for a general licence, six for sports betting and one for casino games, while the regulator received 17 applications for singular slots licences, ten from existing operators and seven from new operators, as well as one request for an exchange betting licence from a new operator.

The addition of slots is expected to breathe new life into the country’s online casino market – Italy’s online casino market grew by around 60% in 2013 after it introduced slots late in 2012.

Licences applications should be processed within six months and if issued will last for five years but will be renewable should operators submit their applications within four months of their expiry dates.

Earlier this month the DGOJ revealed Spain’s online gaming market had grown 19% in Q3 with revenues of €62m.