Insight SPAIN Post-Covid 19


Alejandro Landaluce, General Manager, CEJUEGO


We had not yet recovered from the economic crisis of 2008, so it will be difficult for us to get out of the current one more than other sectors. In the economic crisis of 2008 there was a seven per cent fall in GDP and the effect on the sector was a 30 per cent fall in the real game (GGR) and more than 20 per cent in employment. Now the forecast is for GDP to fall by about 10 per cent, so the impact will be bigger. The fall for the sector will probably be more than 46 per cent


An industry back on its feet is swept to the floor again


Comprised of members such as Cirsa, Codere, EGASA and Orenese, the Spanish trade association, Cejuego, seeks to defend the gaming sector in Spain, highlighting its contribution to society. On May 8, G3 interviewed Cejuego’s General Manager, Alejandro Landaluce, about the future of the gaming industry in Spain post Covid-19.


We will have to adapt to the "new normality" as best as we can. We will have to increase our cleaning and hygiene measures and guarantee the safety of our workers and our customers to the maximum. We probably will have to bear the same opening costs reducing capacity by half or a third.


In terms of Prime Minister Sanchez’s de-escalation plan when do you expect casinos/gaming arcades to re-open and what capacity?


We are currently analysing the current situation in light of the de-escalation plan presented by the government, which, as reported, will be updated as we approach the various stages.


We, as another sector that will gradually resume its activity, will strictly comply with the measures that the government will approve on hygiene and cleanliness conditions as well as capacity limitations and we are working intensely so that the return to activity is carried out in the necessary conditions to guarantee the safety and health of our customers and employees. We are waiting for new specifications from the government, we imagine that through Royal Decrees, which indicate more clearly the de- escalation of our sector.


When do you anticipate these locations to be fully functional again?


It is difficult to know when our activity will be working again at 100 per cent. In Spain, the term "new normality" is being used to refer to the time of control of the pandemic while we do not have a vaccine. Tis means that the activity we knew before will be difficult to recover in the short term until there is a vaccine. We will follow closely all the indications of the government but we may have to spend some time with limited capacity in casinos or gaming arcades, for example.


What will this crisis have cost the industry?


We are one of the most affected sectors by the current health and economic crisis. Since mid-March the


P38 NEWSWIRE / INTERACTIVE / MARKET DATA


income of the face-to-face gaming sector is 0. In addition, we must bear in mind that online activity is also seriously affected by the closure of sporting events.


We had not yet recovered from the economic crisis of 2008, so it will be difficult for us to get out of the current one more than other sectors. In the economic crisis of 2008 there was a seven per cent fall in GDP and the effect on the sector was a 30 per cent fall in the real game (GGR) and more than 20 per cent in employment. Now the forecast is for GDP to fall by about 10 per cent, so the impact will be bigger. Te fall for the sector will probably be more than 46 per cent.


What is your outlook generally for the gambling industry in Spain?


We will have to adapt to the "new normality" as best as we can. We will have to increase our cleaning and hygiene measures and guarantee the safety of our workers and our customers to the maximum. We probably will have to bear the same opening costs reducing capacity by half or a third.


We know from the experience of the previous crisis that society in general, in times of economic uncertainty, decreases spending on gambling (as happens with other leisure activities), so it will be essential to offer our customers a good service so that they continue to enjoy gambling as another leisure activity.


As another sector, we will try to recover economically little by little. Tousands of workers and families depend on the gaming sector in Spain. We hope to come out of this situation stronger and more united but for the good of society in general.


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