Spain to introduce TV advertising watershed
Regulator to use online slots implementation window to replace current advertising guidelines
Spain’s gambling regulatory body is in the process of drafting a set of advertising and player protection regulations which will result in the implementation of a TV advertising watershed, eGaming Review can reveal.
At present, Spain-facing operators are not subject to any compulsory advertising restrictions; however, the vast majority of companies are signed up to a self-regulated code of conduct which offers guidelines on acceptable advertising practices.
The code of conduct, which is overseen by Spanish advertising watchdog Autocontrol, doesn’t permit gambling-related TV advertisements during the hours outside of 22:00 “ 06:00, with the exception of sports betting around televised sporting events.
The new regulation is expected to set out its own advertising watershed and some fear this may include changes to sportsbook advertising before, during and after sports events, unless it falls within the permitted timeframe.
Spanish gaming consultant Eduardo Morales-Hermo told eGR that the regulator, Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ), will use the new regulation to offer minors greater protection from gambling-related content.
“It is expected that the regulation will try to avoid explicit or misleading advertising content related to responsible gaming policies, and will reflect concern about underage and problem gambling issues that will mean a certain timeframe will be excluded for gambling advertising,” Morales-Hermo said.
“The more or less restricted environment for advertising will have an impact in the operators’ marketing campaigns as well as the investment which will therefore affect the media companies, therefore the regulation shall consider the interests of the online gaming and media companies as well as the general interest,” he added.
Although the DGOJ confirmed the formation of a new advertising framework, it was unable to give any information regarding its contents after describing the process to still be in its “early days”.
The regulator expects to introduce the new framework at the same point it ushers in its long-awaited slots and exchange regulation, which is due to take place around the turn of the year.