Melilla sends multi-disciplinary delegation to Interazar on 28-29 April, showcasing city's competitive advantages for gaming operators through Digital Hub initiative.
May 4, 2026 · 4 min read
The Autonomous City of Melilla is positioning itself prominently within Spain's gaming sector through a significant delegation to Interazar on 28 and 29 April. The comprehensive team deployment signals the jurisdiction's institutional backing for the Spanish Gaming Fair and its strategic commitment to the industry.
Operating under its Melilla Digital Hub technology initiative, the city aims to consolidate its position as one of Spain's most competitive environments for gaming operations. The delegation represents a clear institutional message about Melilla's role in the national gaming landscape.
Jesús Martínez, Director General of Innovation and Technology, emphasized Melilla's enthusiasm for the event, describing the city as attending Interazar with great enthusiasm ("muy ilusionada").
— Jesús Martínez, Director General of Innovation and Technology
Martínez characterized Interazar as a key reference point in the national territory ("referente en el territorio nacional"). where key industry players gather. He highlighted the gaming sector's importance to Melilla's technological ecosystem ("tan importante para el ecosistema tecnológico de Melilla"). The director emphasized Interazar's value as a networking platform with established industry contacts, reinforcing years of relationship-building between Melilla and gaming professionals.
The multi-disciplinary team includes technical, legal, and communications expertise. Eva Arrieta and Emilia González represent the Directorate General of Technological Innovation, while specialized tax lawyers from Loyra provide legal support.
The iMelilla Digital Hub communications team comprises Borja Tapia-Ruano, Sandra Liarte, Luisma Rincón, and Venancio Mateo, ensuring comprehensive messaging coordination throughout the fair.
Melilla's Gaming License Framework
Melilla operates under Spain's remote gambling licensing system while offering additional fiscal advantages as an autonomous city. Gaming operators can benefit from reduced corporate tax rates (10% vs 25% mainland Spain) and simplified administrative procedures for EU market access through Spanish licensing.
Martínez highlighted Melilla's economic and fiscal framework, describing it as unbeatable ("imbatible"). within national and European contexts. This regime, combined with institutional support tools, positions the city as particularly attractive for gaming sector development.
The director reinforced the strategic importance of the fair, stating:
"Qué mejor sitio que Interazar, donde tantos años llevamos participando y donde tan bien somos recibidos en cada edición"
— Jesús Martínez, Director General of Innovation and Technology
This coordinated approach demonstrates how smaller jurisdictions are leveraging regulatory advantages and institutional support to compete for gaming operations. Melilla's emphasis on its fiscal regime and digital infrastructure reflects broader trends in jurisdictional competition within European gaming markets.
The comprehensive delegation structure suggests Melilla is moving beyond simple promotional activities toward substantive business development. The inclusion of specialized tax expertise indicates serious preparation for operator inquiries about establishment requirements and fiscal benefits.
For operators evaluating jurisdictional options, Melilla's sustained investment in industry relationship-building through events like Interazar signals long-term commitment to gaming sector development rather than opportunistic positioning.
According to AzarPlus.
Written by
Viktoriia KononovaContent Partnership Manager
Viktoriia has been with We–Right™ Factory since 2022, managing content partnerships across regulated iGaming markets. With a copywriting background, she understands both the creative and compliance sides of iGaming content production. On the blog, Viktoriia writes about responsible gambling content, regulatory alignment, and practical challenges of producing content for multiple jurisdictions.
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