• Game This is how you work in bookmakers: "A boy ended up with his fists with the roulette wheel and blood came out everywhere"

The new regulation of the gaming sector in the Community of Madrid will include specific measures to contain the proliferation of this activity.

For the first time, a

minimum distance between premises

will be established -of 300 meters- and no more licenses will be granted in areas with a high concentration of lounges and bookmakers.

All these restrictions will be reflected in a decree that the Government Council of Isabel Díaz Ayuso plans to approve in April.

In addition, the opening of establishments will be limited to

a maximum of 1% per year

of those currently in existence -around 650- and with a limit of one per municipality, except in the capital, where two will be allowed.

In parallel, at Puerta del Sol they are working on a reform of the Gambling Law which, as long as it receives the approval of the majority of the Madrid Assembly, could be in force in June.

Among its innovations, it contemplates the prohibition of advertising campaigns starring celebrities and the increase in penalties for allowing access to minors from

9,000 to 600,000 euros

.

The objective of these changes, which will not be retroactive, is "to order a

sector that is fully legal

, that is regulated and as such generates economic wealth and jobs," explains Enrique López, Minister of the Presidency, Justice and the Interior.

For this reason, he adds, it will be a regulation that combines this circumstance with "health protection as a consequence of the risk inherent in the activity, always taking into account the most vulnerable", that is, young people and people with gambling problems.

To determine which areas are considered saturated, the ratio of

1.17 premises per 10,000 inhabitants

has been applied , a figure that will be "subject to review from time to time," according to a spokesperson.

This criterion will prevent the opening of new establishments in 11 districts of the capital (Arganzuela, Carabanchel, Centro, Ciudad Lineal, Chamberí, Latina, Puente de Vallecas, Salamanca, Tetuán, Usera and Villaverde) and in nine municipalities (Alcalá de Henares , Alcobendas, Alcorcón, Fuenlabrada, Getafe, Leganés, Móstoles, Parla and Torrejón de Ardoz).

What has not finally been extended is the

minimum distance of 100 meters

between gambling halls or betting houses and schools and institutes.

In exchange, the businesses located in those areas that will be considered "special protection" will have to reinforce access controls through the presence of a person who is exclusively dedicated to that activity or through a physical barrier that prevents entry.

"The political discussion regarding the distances from the premises to the educational centers or to each other is absolutely secondary. The important thing is to prevent a minor or a self-excluded from entering and that can only be avoided with

effective and efficient controls

and not only with distances. a minor is not dissuaded by the fact that the premises are 100 or 500 meters away," argues López.

With the reform of the Gaming Law, businesses related to this activity will also be prohibited from advertising on marquees and buses and from sponsoring sporting events.

Nor will it be allowed to carry out actions to attract customers, such as offering discounted drinks or free games, and it will be

mandatory to pay in cash

so that the user is more aware of what is spent.

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