Aedapi Urges Action on Spanish I-Gaming Regulations

A Spanish association of Internet gambling operators is urging the Spanish government to regulate online gambling throughout the country as soon as possible.

Española de Apostadores Deportivos por Internet, or Aedapi, whose members include Betfair, Unibet and Globet, on Friday released the results of a country-wide market study which showed that Spain's Internet gambling market, though currently unregulated, generated at least 200 million euros in 2008. It also said the market is expected to bring in upwards of 250 million euros in 2009, and as much as 450 million euros by 2012.

Aedapi said in the report that the results show that the Spanish online gambling industry is in "good health" and growth is continuous. Because of this, the industry must be regulated to prevent a proliferation of illegal bookmakers in the market and to protect Spanish consumers.

Aedapi's position reiterates the recent demands of the country's opposition party, Partido Popular, who in December introduced a resolution urging the Spanish government to implement regulations for Internet gambling in accordance with previously enacted legislation.

In December 2007, the Spanish Congress passed Law 56/2007, which included a section requiring the federal government to develop regulations for online gambling. The government, however, has yet to act on its requirements.

IGamingNews was unable to reach Aedapi for comment by press time, but acquired a copy of the report, in Spanish, from Betfair.

Click here to view the report.