Euroslot-SEP09-PG17:Layout 1 01/09/2009 12:47 Page 17
www.euroslot-online.com EUROPEAN NEWS - SPAIN
Bingo - In for the long haul
Protocol for reponsible
gaming signed in Catalonia
T
he bingo industry has been experiencing a significant fall in its
takings for quite some time now, despite desperately attempting
to update its resources in the hope of motivating its regular clients.
Everyone involved, government, managers and workers alike are T
he Minister of the Interior in the Catalan Autonomous Government, Joan
Saura, has signed a pioneering “Good Practices” protocol with the current
making a big effort to find a way out of the crisis. representatives of the Gaming Industry who form part of the Commission for the
To this end, the Observatorio Estatal del Bingo, meeting before the Promotion of Responsible Gaming. Xavier González, Javier Miró, Albert Sola and
summer vacation, produced a manifesto to be submitted to the public Jaume Terradas took part in the signing as representatives of Patrojoc, the
authorities asking them to reconsider the taxes that are hitting this employer’s Private Gaming association in Catalonia; Manuel Lao Gorina for Cirsa;
sector. The document deplores the current fiscal situation affecting Jaume Ferré for the Peralada Group, and Joaquín Franco representing Facomare
the bingo companies in all the autonomous regions because, “It is and Recreativos Franco.
threatening the very existence of the jobs of those employed directly Later, around 50 representatives of the Catalan operating companies and
or indirectly in the industry, and even the taxes collected by the manufacturers of machines of type “B”, to be found in premises all over Spain,
autonomous governments”. The petition expressly mentions a signed the Good Practices Agreement with the Catalan Parliament. This
reduction in tax to the 15% rate, or that it at least keeps to agreement provides for a series of measures to be put in place defining the
parameters that do not exceed 20%. suppliers’ responsibility towards the players of these games. This responsible
For its part, the Board of one of the associations in the sector, gaming programme revolves around the criteria of prevention, intervention and
ASEJU, has recommended that when drawing up contracts with the information as regards the users. That is to say, it will offer accurate information
machine manufacturers, its member companies apply a unified set of so that the players improve the criterion at decision time. They will set up the
criteria when contracting with the equipment suppliers. Among the measures for controlling access to the premises to prevent underage youngsters,
recommendations are that contracts are not signed for exclusive those in an inebriated state and compulsive gamblers from using the machines.
features; denying the option of bespoke products; procuring As regards the latter, special attention will be given to them to avoid, wherever
terminals with compatible systems; drawing-up contracts with only a possible, an increase in such addiction. Staff will be trained to recognise the
one-year term; ensuring there is a contractual obligation to update patterns of conduct for responsible gaming. Also measures will be implemented
the games (at least once every six months); insisting on having an which will lead to the preservation of a reasonable balance between  the player’s
installation certificate issued to the bingo company and ensuring personal budget and the amounts he plays. Lastly there is the criterion of
there is technical support service. corporate responsibility. This means incorporating specific actions to counter the
Nevertheless, not everything is bad news. On July 21 the Orders of impact that this activity is having in society today.
the Andalusian Government’s Ministry of the Interior came into
effect. These determine the deduction percentages applicable to the
game of bingo, as well as the standards governing the bingo prize,
and the introduction of a new super premium bingo prize in this
New proposals for arcades
Autonomous Community. Since coming into effect, the percentage
allocated to prizes has been set at 62% of the face value of the cards
sold for each game. ASAEBIN and ASOBING, two of the
representative associations have greeted the introduction of these A
t the last General Meeting of ANESAR, the association which
comprises the owners of arcades, it was clear that joint actions were
measures with satisfaction and hope that they will help to alleviate called for. Its president, Rafael Martínez, explained with clarity the actions
the difficulties facing this sector in Andalucia. that need to be taken for this business group to survive the present crisis.
These proposals have been brought together in a document called the
“Decalogue” which has been accepted by most of the associations involved.
In brief, this document contains three sections.
The first deals with security in the arcades: support and collaboration for
those activities aimed at reinforcing security from a police, judicial or
legislative point of view; also the implementation of payment methods that
reduce the movement of cash in the arcades.
The second, taxation: Modification of the present fiscal system;
establishment of a quarterly accrued sum for paying the taxes; revision of
the current formula for calculating the tax on multiplayer machines and the
withdrawal or re-negotiation of the other taxes payable, such as the
administrative taxes.
Thirdly it is proposed to eliminate the bureaucratic obstructions to the
operation of machines of type “A” by defining their technical requirements,
appropriate places for their installation, and by establishing a formula that it
makes it possible for them to be played in the amusement arcades by using
the “buy amusement time” concept.
During the Meeting the Cirsa, Hispacounter and Recreativos Franco
companies, in a very pedagogical demonstration, presented the Sipar
application as being a technologically viable solution for increasing security
in the arcades. The Sipar remote payment system is an application which
removes the need to pay with cash, using an electronic payment/repayment
card instead which can be used on the facilities in the arcade.
SEPTEMBER 2009
17
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36