The main concern lies in the advancement of the closing time of gaming halls, which could result in the sudden loss of between 80 and 100 jobs.
Spain.- The Spanish Association of Gaming and Recreational Room Entrepreneurs (ANESAR), representing 10 companies and 300 workers in the gaming sector, expressed their concern about the potential negative consequences of the new measures proposed in the regulation of the Navarre Gaming Law.
The main concern is the advancement of the closing time of gaming halls, which could result in the sudden loss of between 80 and 100 jobs. Juan Lacarra, spokesperson for ANESAR, criticized the lack of transparency and negotiation during the regulation process, noting that the association had to appeal to the Council of Navarre to access the file after several unanswered information requests.
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One of the most controversial changes is the reduction of the closing time, from 3:30 AM to 12:30 AM, based on public order reasons that, according to Lacarra, have not been adequately justified. Additionally, the legal services of the Department of Interior have questioned the measure for its lack of justification and possible disproportion.
Lacarra also highlighted the comparative grievance this measure represents for gaming halls compared to other sectors such as bars with machines, bingos, and online gaming, which are not affected by the reduction in hours. This change, according to Lacarra, would cause an immediate loss of jobs and no study has been conducted on its economic and labor impact.
ANESAR also rejects two other measures from the regulation: the elimination of the interconnection between machines, which has been done for 20 years, and the exclusion of gaming halls from operating BMB machines. These decisions, according to Lacarra, could harm the competitiveness of the venues and lead to the closure of more establishments.
The representative of ANESAR warned that companies have made investments based on previous conditions, and any change can be considered an "attack on legal security," which could result in legal claims by the affected companies.
