Spanish news outlets are reporting that the upcoming 2019 budget will have severe implications for betting marketing freedoms in the country.
It comes after Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (PSOE – Socialist Workers Party) struck a budget proposal deal with socialist Podemos party leader Pablo Iglesias, as the PSOE minority government seeks to revamp Spain’s advertising code.
Branded as Spain’s ‘socially progressive budget’, the PSOE aims to attain a initial legislative victory, which would be the party’s first since taking leadership of Spain’s government last June, following the resignation of Partido Popular’s Mariano Rajoy.
The budget agreement will likely aide Sanchez and the minority PSOE as the government seeks to fend off calls for an election.
The Spanish news sources report that PSOE and Podemos will seek to toughen Spain’s advertising standards with regards to betting advertising/marketing practices. However, it remains unclear what exact restrictions the government will choose to implement.
The 2019 budget agreement, will be of interest to Spanish football clubs, who have previously been criticised by Pablo Iglesias and Podemos for their ‘indifference to betting advertising and sponsorships’.
Last season saw a host of Spanish sides sign partnerships with betting operators, with bet365 unveiling a total of 10 new sponsorship deals in La Liga.
Spanish regulator DGOJ, currently undertaking its third licensing window which is due to close on 17 December 2018, expanding Spain’s online gambling marketplace. Newspaper, El Pais reports that PSOE will treat ‘betting like tobacco’,implementing tougher restrictions aimed at protecting minors and vulnerable consumers.
Meanwhile, elDiario.es details that PSOE and Podemos, will move to significantly reduce betting related adverts aired during TV sports broadcasts, and throughout Radio verticals.
Furthermore, a new advertising code would ban Spanish licensed operators from utilising celebrities or athletes to promote gambling products.
