Spain's land-based gaming industry pushed back against mounting regulatory pressure and negative media coverage at ANESAR's 13th Gaming Halls Congress on 14 May in Madrid, with Secretary General Juan Lacarra delivering a robust defence of the sector's economic and social contributions.
Speaking under the congress theme "Gaming in Positive Light: A Commitment that Unites Us", Lacarra emphasised the fundamental role of gaming companies as the driving force behind Spain's land-based gaming sector, highlighting their economic, employment and social impact.
Sector by Numbers
The ANESAR chief outlined the industry's substantial footprint, citing more than 3,600 gaming halls across Spain generating nearly 19,000 direct jobs with significant female participation. He emphasised the sector's considerable investments in security, technology and control systems.
However, Lacarra acknowledged significant challenges facing the industry, including the closure of smaller operators, declining competitiveness against online and state-run gaming, rising operational costs, and increasing regulatory pressure.
3,600+
Gaming halls across Spain
19,000
Direct jobs generated
13th
ANESAR Gaming Halls Congress edition
Call for Balanced Framework
The secretary general demanded a more balanced regulatory framework based on objective data and fair competitive conditions, stressing the need for enhanced dialogue and collaboration between the sector and public administrations to achieve "positive gaming".
“There are reasons to value many positive things that exist within the sector that often go unnoticed: professionalisation, adaptability, associationism, solidarity initiatives, business effort and also recognition for those who helped build much of what we are today.”
— Juan Lacarra, Secretary General of ANESAR
Lacarra specifically requested proportionality in both inspection procedures and media treatment of the sector, advocating for a more balanced, rigorous approach removed from alarmist perspectives.
Strategic Communication
Land-based operators facing regulatory pressure should compile comprehensive economic impact data, including local employment figures, tax contributions, and community investment records. This evidence-based approach mirrors ANESAR's strategy of requesting objective data-driven policies rather than reactive regulations.
Human Dimension
The ANESAR leader highlighted what he termed the sector's "enormous human dimension", praising operators' ability to maintain personal relationships while competing professionally.
“The ability to compete while maintaining close personal relationships, which is often noticed in small gestures that probably aren't seen from the outside, in people who travel hundreds of kilometres simply to be present at a tribute, a celebration or even to accompany a colleague or friend from the sector who is going through a difficult time.”
— Juan Lacarra, Secretary General of ANESAR
Lacarra also defended customers as responsible users of legal, regulated leisure offerings and recognised sector employees facing increased regulatory demands and recruitment difficulties.
Warning
The closure of smaller operators mentioned by Lacarra indicates potential market consolidation pressures. Combined with rising operational costs and declining competitiveness against online gaming, this trend could significantly reshape Spain's land-based gaming landscape and reduce local market diversity.
Regulatory Recalibration Needed
Lacarra's intervention signals growing frustration within Spain's land-based gaming sector over what operators perceive as disproportionate regulatory scrutiny compared to online competitors. His emphasis on objective data suggests the industry may be preparing evidence-based challenges to future regulatory measures.
The call for media balance particularly resonates as Spanish gaming faces heightened public scrutiny, potentially complicating operators' licence renewals and expansion plans. How regulators respond to these proportionality requests could set precedents for enforcement approaches across other European jurisdictions grappling with similar land-based versus online competitive dynamics.
While the article doesn't specify current inspection frequencies, ANESAR's request for proportionality suggests operators may be experiencing intensive regulatory scrutiny that could be streamlined. This could reduce compliance costs and administrative burden if regulators adopt more risk-based inspection approaches.
The source indicates land-based operators face rising operational costs, physical security investments, and technology infrastructure requirements that online competitors avoid. However, the article doesn't detail specific regulatory disparities that may exist between the two sectors.
ANESAR's evidence-based approach and emphasis on economic contributions could provide a template for land-based gaming associations in other jurisdictions. The article suggests this could set precedents for enforcement approaches across European markets dealing with similar competitive dynamics.
According to AzarPlus.
