MINISTER for consumer affairs Alberto Garzón plans to restrict advertising by betting companies to an early-hours slot and to ban it from social media between 20.00 and midnight.
The United Left leader was due to meet with industry representatives today (Thursday) to explain the restrictions.
Radio and TV broadcasters, especially those showing sporting events, will be directly affected by the reduced hours – they will only be allowed to advertising betting companies between 01.00 and 05.00 in the morning.
Although this will not stop many gambling addicts from seeing or hearing the publicity, it is hoped that the reduced broadcasting hours will prevent children, teenagers, younger adults and those with standard working hours from being exposed to them.
Other measures will be included, but have not been detailed yet, although some towns in Spain have banned betting shops and amusement arcades from opening anywhere near schools or from trading before 22.00 at night.
It is likely high-end professional sports will not be able to get sponsorship from betting firms in the future, particularly football and basketball.
Even though the gambling industry invested over €168 million last year alone in advertising, Garzón says he does not intend to 'negotiate' with them, merely to 'tell' them what he has decided.
Campaigns to raise awareness, and preventive action will also be taken.
