Canary Islands Finalises Gaming Reform with Mandatory Access Controls

The Canary Islands government is finalising comprehensive gaming reform that will mandate admission controls in all recreational and gaming halls, marking a significant shift in the archipelago's approach to gambling regulation and minor protection.

The new planning instrument aims to address existing regulatory dispersion whilst providing greater legal certainty for sector stakeholders. Under the proposed decree, all recreational gaming venues must implement mandatory admission services specifically designed to prevent minors from accessing gambling areas.

Parliamentary Review Process

The Council of Government has agreed to submit the planning contained in the draft decree to Parliament, following a proposal from the Ministry of Presidency, Public Administrations, Justice and Security. The initiative operates under the framework established by Ley 8/2010, dated 15 July, governing games and betting in the autonomous community.

The decree's primary objective is ensuring citizens can access optimally supervised gaming systems whilst maintaining awareness of associated risks. Simultaneously, the regulation seeks to clearly define activity limits and requirements for entrepreneurs seeking market entry under compliant conditions.

Comprehensive Regulatory Update

The new framework represents a comprehensive review of Decreto 26/2012, dated 30 March, which approved the Regulation of Recreational and Gambling Machines for the Canary Islands Autonomous Community. The update addresses sector evolution and administrative procedure management requirements that have emerged since the original regulation's implementation.

The reform includes targeted modifications to various general provisions, reflecting contemporary operational realities within the gaming sector.

Enhanced Registry Protections

Significant changes affect the Registry of Prohibited Access to Gaming, specifically targeting vulnerable population protection. The reform modifies article 24 of the Gaming Homologation Regulation and organisation and operation of the Gaming Registry of the Canary Islands Autonomous Community, originally approved by Decreto 42/1998, dated 2 April.

The modification establishes duration periods for registry inscriptions in cases of self-prohibition or third-party prohibitions concerning patrimony administration and disposal acts where legitimate interests exist. Previously, no specific timeframe was contemplated, but the new provision establishes indefinite duration as standard.

However, the regulation provides that after six months from inscription, cancellation procedures may commence, offering a structured exit pathway whilst maintaining protective intentions.

Five-Year Planning Framework

The regulation establishes a five years duration for the contemplated planning period. Given various sector influences including demographic factors, socioeconomic conditions, geographical situation and distribution patterns, the framework allows for potential extension by an additional cinco años.

Any extension decisions will incorporate recommendations from the Gaming and Betting Commission of the Canary Islands, ensuring expert evaluation guides future regulatory directions.

Broader Minor Protection Context

The Canary Islands government has previously implemented Decree-Law 7/2024 and subsequently Ley 2/2025, dated 26 de junio, establishing urgent measures for childhood protection within gambling and betting contexts. These measures prevent gaming venue concentration, regulate distances between gaming halls and educational centres, and expand protection coverage from 6 years of age.

Regulatory Implications for Operators

The mandatory admission control requirement represents a fundamental operational shift for gaming venue operators across the Canary Islands. Venues must now implement systematic verification procedures ensuring no minor access to gambling areas, requiring significant infrastructure and procedural investments.

The indefinite registry duration for prohibited access, whilst maintaining six-month review options, creates new compliance responsibilities for operators. Venues must maintain updated prohibited person databases and implement robust verification systems to prevent inadvertent access violations.

For prospective market entrants, the clearer regulatory framework provides enhanced certainty regarding operational requirements and compliance expectations. However, the strengthened minor protection measures increase operational complexity and associated compliance costs across the sector.

According to AzarPlus.