Spain Moves Toward Sports-Betting Regulation

Spain is finally moving to regulate sports betting market, in its 17 autonomous communities (comunidades autonomas), and two autonomous cities.

“There are now two motions in the Spanish Senate and one in the Congress,” explained Juan Barrachina, president, AEDAPI, the Spanish Internet sports-betting association. “At this moment that means that all political parties have decided that online sports betting is a reality and needs to be regulated.

“And that is exactly what online operators want," Barrachina continued. "Spain is moving in the right direction, which is great news for all concerned: the customer, the authorities and the operators.”

Since March 2005, AEDAPI has continued to push for a liberalized betting market.

“We wanted a free betting market in Spain without a state monopoly," he said. "And we wanted to develop a reliable, secure and safe betting sector. We want to let all Spaniards decide where and with which company they want to gamble or bet.”

The underdeveloped and crumbled market of 40.4 million inhabitants had a turnover of more than 500 million euro between January and October 2006, and a total sports-betting base of 500,000 players.

“All online betting companies are currently working outside of Spain," he said. "However, we all have licenses in other jurisdictions, the majority within the European Union--for example, the United Kingdom, Austria, Malta, et cetera.”

AEDAPI operator members include, among others: Unibet.com, Globet.com, Betfair, Interwetten.com, Bet24.com, Jugandovoy.com, Epagado.com, Forobet.com, Todoapuestas.org, iApuestas.com, Apostandum.com and Centroapuesta.com.