Madrid has awarded the Gran Cruz del Dos de Mayo to Miguel Carballeda, president of ONCE, in a ceremony that highlighted the organization's unique position within Spain's gaming landscape.
Award Ceremony Remarks
During the decoration ceremony, Carballeda used the platform to outline ONCE's mission and operations. The ONCE president stated the award provides the organization with renewed strength to continue its activities.
“The prize gives ONCE energy to keep fighting and continue collecting from Spanish society”
— Miguel Carballeda, ONCE President
The ceremony saw Carballeda emphasize ONCE's employment mission, claiming the organization provides workers with dignified employment opportunities.
“At ONCE, people find decent work”
— Miguel Carballeda, ONCE President
Operational Reality
ONCE's lottery operations continue across Spain through its network of vendors, known as "centinelas de la ilusión" (sentinels of hope), who sell Rascas scratch cards and other products throughout the country. These vendors operate in hospitals, gas stations, bars, restaurants, parks, and maintain a self-imposed distance of just ten meters from schools.
The organization's sales network operates without the regulatory oversight, restrictions, or permanent surveillance applied to other gaming operators in Spain.
“Try your luck by buying a ticket because you have to seek out luck”
— Miguel Carballeda, ONCE President
ONCE's Gaming Network Scale
The "centinelas de la ilusión" vendor network represents one of Spain's most extensive gaming distribution systems, with physical presence in medical facilities, transportation hubs, hospitality venues, and public spaces. The ten-meter school proximity policy demonstrates ONCE's self-regulatory approach rather than externally imposed restrictions.
Regulatory Questions for Spanish Gaming
The Madrid ceremony underscores ONCE's exceptional status within Spain's gaming ecosystem. While commercial operators face strict licensing requirements, advertising restrictions, and compliance monitoring, ONCE continues to operate under different rules established for its social mission. This regulatory asymmetry raises questions about market fairness and consumer protection standards, particularly as Spain's Parliament prepares to debate scratch card controls.
According to AzarPlus.
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