Madrid's Director General de Suelo delivered a compelling closing address at the 13th ANESAR Congress, positioning trust-building as a fundamental responsibility shared between regulatory authorities and gaming operators.
Ramón Cubián, representing the Comunidad de Madrid, used his keynote speech to articulate a vision of public-private collaboration that extends beyond mere regulatory compliance to encompass genuine confidence-building within the gaming sector.
Professional Maturity on Display
Cubián praised the congress organisation as evidence of the gaming industry's strategic evolution and professional maturity. His assessment highlighted the sector's forward-thinking approach and operational sophistication.
“You have managed to organise a congress with powerful, serious professional organisation, with feet on the ground, with present vision, with future vision and that cares more about moving forward than looking at the past. And that is an absolute key to success”
— Ramón Cubián, Director General de Suelo de la Comunidad de Madrid
The regional official emphasised that such professional forums are essential for projecting a solid image to society, particularly when addressing gaming industry perceptions.
ANESAR Congress Context
The Asociación Nacional de Empresas de Salones de Recreativos y Apuestas (ANESAR) represents Spain's gaming salon and betting operators. The annual congress serves as the primary industry forum for regulatory discussions, with regional directors from Spain's 17 autonomous communities typically attending to present their jurisdictional approaches.
Beyond Compliance: The Trust Imperative
Cubián positioned the congress theme of "Juego en positivo" (Positive Gaming) not merely as aspirational messaging but as an operational necessity requiring alignment between regulators and operators.
“I am convinced that administrations on our part, but also entrepreneurs on yours... in addition to doing things well, which must be done, we have the obligation to generate trust and doing things like this generate trust”
— Ramón Cubián, Director General de Suelo de la Comunidad de Madrid
According to Cubián, Madrid's success stems from this trust-generation capacity, which serves as the primary driver attracting economic activity to the region. This collaborative approach resonates with broader industry trends, as seen when Spanish gaming executives called problem gambling a 'collateral' issue while emphasizing educational priorities.
13th
ANESAR Congress Edition
17
Spanish Autonomous Communities with Gaming Regulation
Regulatory Balance Through Dialogue
The Director General defended a nuanced approach to regulatory relationships, acknowledging that dialogue doesn't eliminate disagreements or enforcement actions but incorporates them within a framework of mutual confidence.
“Balance in terms of dialogue does not mean that we agree on everything. It does not mean that I will not sign more sanctions. But sanctions are part of our balance of trust in a system that cares about functioning and companies that care about functioning”
— Ramón Cubián, Director General de Suelo de la Comunidad de Madrid
This perspective positions regulatory enforcement as an integral component of systemic trust rather than adversarial oversight.
Regulatory Strategy
Gaming operators should view regulatory sanctions as part of a balanced ecosystem rather than punitive measures. Maintaining open dialogue with regulators before issues arise can help distinguish enforcement actions from relationship breakdowns, particularly when operators demonstrate proactive compliance efforts.
Human-Centric Business Philosophy
Cubián highlighted the congress's focus on human factors, arguing that sustainable business success depends equally on employee satisfaction and customer experience quality.
“If there is no good customer experience and if the worker, who is the one carrying out the day-to-day operations of the company, is not comfortable or is not taken into consideration, then there is no future for the company”
— Ramón Cubián, Director General de Suelo de la Comunidad de Madrid
This philosophy aligns with industry initiatives that prioritize employee wellbeing, as demonstrated when EGT España sponsored the 13th ANESAR Congress to support responsible gaming initiatives and sustainable industry practices.
Madrid's Economic Model
The Comunidad de Madrid has positioned itself as Spain's most business-friendly gaming jurisdiction through its 'trust-first' regulatory approach. This philosophy has attracted over 60% of Spain's licensed gaming operators to establish their headquarters in the region, generating significant tax revenue and employment.
Personal Touch in Professional Relations
In an unusually personal conclusion, Cubián referenced his daily practice of reading biblical passages for guidance, sharing the day's selection from the Gospel of San Juan.
“I conclude this congress by sharing with you the phrase I have used today and that I have today in my mind from the gospel of San Juan: 'I call you friends'. I declare the 13th ANESAR Congress closed”
— Ramón Cubián, Director General de Suelo de la Comunidad de Madrid
Cultural Integration
Cubián's biblical reference reflects Spain's cultural integration in business relationships, where personal values and professional conduct intersect. This approach contrasts with more formal regulatory cultures in Northern European gaming markets, suggesting operators should adapt communication styles to regional cultural expectations.
Regulatory Framework Evolution
Cubián's address signals a maturing relationship between Spanish gaming regulators and industry operators, emphasising collaborative approaches over purely adversarial oversight models. His framework positions Madrid as a jurisdiction prioritising economic development through trust-building rather than restrictive regulatory approaches. The emphasis on shared responsibility between public and private sectors suggests regulatory authorities are recognising gaming industry partnerships as essential for effective governance. This collaborative model could influence regulatory approaches across other Spanish regions, particularly as operators seek jurisdictions offering both compliance certainty and cooperative oversight relationships.
Madrid's collaborative regulatory model could reshape Spanish gaming oversight, moving from enforcement-focused supervision toward partnership-based governance that prioritizes economic development alongside consumer protection.
'Juego en positivo' (Positive Gaming) was the central theme of the 13th ANESAR Congress. It represents an operational philosophy emphasizing responsible gaming practices and positive industry perception rather than just marketing messaging.
Madrid emphasizes trust-building and dialogue between regulators and operators rather than purely enforcement-focused oversight. This collaborative model positions regulatory actions as part of a balanced system rather than adversarial measures.
ANESAR represents gaming salon and betting operators across Spain, organizing annual congresses that serve as primary forums for regulatory discussions. The association facilitates dialogue between industry operators and regional regulatory authorities.
Cubián argued that sustainable business success requires both satisfied employees and quality customer experiences. He positioned worker comfort and consideration as essential factors determining company viability in the gaming sector.
According to AzarPlus.
