Madrid joins the regulatory trend

[jetset]

EUROPEAN LIBERALISATION CONTINUES

Madrid has a regulatory plan for online gambling

The decision by the regional government of Madrid to allow minimum Euro 1 bets in games venues as well as telephone and online bets, covering sports and other competitions, as well as allowing internet bets on bingo and casino games is another step toward an increasingly practical approach to regulated gambling in Europe.

The licences issued by the Spanish capital will last for five years, renewable if the Madrid regulator's conditions are met. Licensing will also include strict regulations to prevent the participation of problem gamblers, the underaged and mentally ill people.

Madrid's decision sets a national example and comes in the wake of Italy's decision to regulate gaming, which prompted a flood of applications from UK bookmakers and online companies such as Ladbrokes, William Hill and Gala Coral, who are also expected to bid for licences in Madrid along with Sportingbet and Party Gaming in the online sector.

Moves to regulate instead of restrict the betting market by Italy and Madrid are in sharp contrast to the attempts by other European nations to limit betting by banning online gaming and legalising onshore betting only for state monopolies.

The new regulated market in Italy has opened up 17 000 licences to the private sector. The country's online betting market is currently estimated at Euro 3.7 billion (GBP 2.5 billion). All legal gaming, including the Italian lottery, pools, betting, bingo and machine gaming, is worth Euro 28 billion.