Spain: Basque public broadcaster EiTB withdraws gambling-related advertising

Basque Country public broadcaster Euskal Irrati Telebista (EiTB) has confirmed that it will no longer broadcast gambling-related advertising across its TV, Radio and digital platforms. The board of EITB issued a statement detailing that its actions were a ‘necessary enforcement’ as a regional broadcaster ‘protecting and safeguarding the right of the most vulnerable against the serious problems of addiction that gambling and betting can create’.

The Basque media firm confirms that it will only allow advertising of provincial and Spanish ONCE lottery games, whilst further confirming that it will permit ‘static advertising’ of betting odds during EiTB broadcasts of Basque pelota matches.

EiTB becomes the second Spanish regional broadcaster to terminate its betting/gambling advertising, as last month the Assembly of Madrid instructed Radio-Televisión Madrid (TeleMadrid) withdrew all gambling-related content. In its decision, the Assembly stated grave concerns that TeleMadrid had become an open platform for the mass promotion of regional gambling establishments.

Last weekend saw a PSOE government secure a minority win in Spain’s General Election, in what signals a probable reform of Spanish gambling laws. PSOE, who are currently weighing-up partnership options for governing Spain, has committed to reforming the Spanish advertising code, focusing on restricting gambling content.