Spain: advertising of betting operators on kits banned from 31/08/2021

The Spanish Council of Ministers has approved and published Royal Decree 958/2020 of 03/11/2020 on the commercial advertising of gambling, revising the text from 27/05/2011, on 04/11/2020. This text limits the sponsorship of betting operators in Spain.

The decree prohibits the advertising of betting operators on the kits of Spanish sports clubs. In addition, bookmakers' advertisements on audiovisual media (TV, radio, YouTube, etc.) can only be broadcast between one and five o'clock in the morning. This limitation applies to live broadcasts. Thus, advertising visible on signage in stadiums and sports venues must be adapted to this time slot.

Public persons (celebrities) are no longer allowed to advertise for bookmakers. Promotional offers and slogans on websites encouraging people to bet/play are also prohibited. Advertising on the Internet is strictly limited to the gambling operators' own websites.

While the text enters into force on 04/11/2020, sports clubs have until 30/08/2021 to adapt their contracts with betting operators: "contracts (referred to in paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 of…