Spain’s online gambling ad limits to take effect in October

Spain’s harsh new online gambling marketing restrictions will likely take effect in October after the European Commission (EC) voiced no objections to the country’s plans.

On Wednesday, Spain’s Minister of Consumer Affairs Alberto Garzón announced that he would press the government’s Council of State to approve by September the Royal Decree on gambling advertising Garzón unveiled earlier this month. Assuming that approval is secured, Garzón (pictured) believes final approval by the Council of Ministers can be obtained by October.

Spain submitted the latest draft of the Decree to the EC for approval on July 9, slapping an ‘urgency’ tag on the measure to ensure the EC got his message that children’s lives were in danger (or something). On Tuesday, the EC declared that it had no issues with the Decree, clearing the way for Garzón to forward the Decree to the Council of State.

Spain is seeking to limit online gambling advertising on TV, radio and online video platforms to a narrow four-hour window starting at 1am. A previous draft of the Decree would have allowed advertising during live sports events but this exception was eliminated in the current draft.