Online Casino Regulation Daunts Spanish Government Just Like US
The Spanish Congress of Representatives passed a bill in December 2007 affirming their intent to pass a bill to regulate and tax online casinos and Internet gambling. But since then the government hasn't moved on the issue, leaving millions in revenue to flee the country.
Apparently bureaucracies operate the same in any language, as the Spanish did not actually establish regulatory terms for online gambling, but voted to show its eagerness to do so. Reminiscent of the US Congress when it votes to assert its opinion in non-binding ways, the action resulted in nothing for Spanish coffers.
Now the Spanish Association of Internet Bettors wants to know why an estimated $250 million in gambling revenue leaves the country while players continue to lack protection from shady operators. This must sound a little repetitive to such groups as the Poker Players Alliance.
The Spanish government has advanced a plan to install online gaming terminals at convenience stores and gas stations across the country, raising the number of public outlets from 4000 to 11,000. Clearly, in Spain, they believe in diving in with both feet.
But still the betting association estimates a bill taxing and regulating the industry is at least a year away. In the meantime, even at the unlikely low rate of 10 percent imposed on lottery gambling, $25 million is leaving that could be supporting public treasuries. Of course, it's not as if it's a multi-billion dollar industry being banned rather than taxed; no government would be that stupid...
