The Courts requested the implementation of identification systems in machines, among other demands.
Spain.- The Joint Congressional-Senate Commission for the Study of Addiction Problems approved this week, with 32 votes in favor and two against, a Non-Legislative Proposal presented by the Socialist Parliamentary Group. This initiative proposes the implementation of control measures in online gambling and slot machines, with the support of the PP.
Socialist deputy Olvido de la Rosa defended the proposal, pointing out the lack of control over gambling machines, which currently only depend on the owners of bars and cafeterias for access. According to the deputy, although the managers of the establishments have an important role, they cannot verify whether a player is underage or self-excluded, as they may appear older than they are. Hence the need to include a contact number on each machine so that players can access specialized addiction assistance.
Furthermore, the deputy emphasized the importance of reviewing the structure of online gambling to reduce its addiction. She considered that the administrations have the obligation to minimize the social, family, and personal consequences of pathological gambling, especially in minors. She highlighted that current technological advances allow the introduction of requirements similar to those existing in casinos, bingos, and betting houses. She acknowledged that some autonomous communities have already implemented control measures, and advocated for promoting these actions in the Gambling Policy Council.
For its part, the initiative received an amendment from the Popular Parliamentary Group. Its spokesperson, María Torres, highlighted the importance of continuing to work to ensure a safe digital environment for young people and to increase awareness of the risks of uncontrolled gambling. However, she recalled that the autonomous communities also have regulations to protect responsible face-to-face gambling, within the framework of their competencies.
Torres emphasized that the Government must collaborate with all parties involved and allocate the necessary resources to prevent and reduce addictions related to online gambling. She criticized the lack of progress in implementing laws that protect minors in digital environments, mentioning the Royal Decree on gambling advertising and future legislation on child protection, which has already received criticism from the European Commission.
From Sumar, Rafael Cofiño supported the proposal, highlighting the worrying data about identity theft in online gambling, which in 2024 exceeded 8,000 complaints. He defended the work of the Ministry of Consumption in the fight against addictions and stressed the importance of supporting people in the rehabilitation process and the entities working in this area.
On the other hand, the Vox spokesperson, Tomás Fernández, criticized the lack of evidence on the effectiveness of the proposed measures and questioned their implementation and long-term evaluation. He stated that, although identification in machines could be positive, it was not detailed how to ensure its effectiveness or the security of personal data. Additionally, he raised the need to establish clear rules on responsible game design and to include a comprehensive preventive approach in the proposal.
In another area, the Joint Commission approved three Non-Legislative Proposals (PNL) to strengthen the fight against addictions in minors and demand stricter controls in gambling. The first PNL, promoted by the PP, seeks to increase resources for prevention, early detection, and comprehensive care for addictions in minors, as well as to promote coordination between administrations and local entities.
Popular senator Antonia López Moya highlighted that the current resources are insufficient and advocated for greater government involvement. For her part, Socialist deputy Emilia Almodóvar Sánchez reminded that the autonomous communities play a crucial role in implementing these programs.
The second PNL, also from the PP, urges the Government to include measures in the National Strategy on Addictions to improve the prevention and care of vulnerable minors. María Lourdes Ramírez Martín, a deputy from the PP, expressed her concern about the increase in addictions in minors, according to the Estudes 2023 survey, and emphasized the importance of greater institutional coordination. An amendment from Vox accepted by the PP proposes the creation of an evaluation system for the results of the associations working in this field.
Finally, the Commission approved a PNL from the PSOE that demands measures for machines to have identification systems to control access by minors and self-excluded individuals, and to include contact numbers for help and regulation of online gambling. Socialist deputy Olvido de la Rosa highlighted the economic and social risks associated with high spending on these machines.
