History of Gambling in Spain
The very first traces of gambling activities were spotted in cultural clubs, or to be more precise, in “gentlemen’s clubs”. This “gentlemen ideology” draws origins from France and Britain, where men used to gather in literary clubs not only to talk about literature but to socialize and gamble as well.
Initially, one could access “by invite” only, but after the death of Ferdinand VII in 1833, the popularity of those clubs was on the continuous rise. However, after the turbulent civil war, the situation dramatically changed and activities such as talent-based contests and games of chance even became punishable. The Franco regime had banned all gambling activities except sports pools, sweepstakes, and the national lottery.
In the 1970s, after his death, the circumstances have once again changed, in favor of gaming fans. Sports betting was among the most popular branches of entertainment, just like today, but some other activities were permitted as well- slot machines, traditional casinos, and bingo.
Bingo and Spanish Players Nowadays
As for the official legality of this form of entertainment, it happened in 2000s. In 2011, the Gambling Act was established, encompassing the activities to and from the country. The gaming landscape was precisely defined and regulated, offering consumers well-organized environment. The Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ), which is part of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, is a regulatory body in charge. A large number of operators have been granted a license to operate, so the market is continuously expanding. Dog and horse racing games, bullfighting, along with online gambling, bingo, lottery games, and poker are the games which hold the reputation of the favorite gambling activities in Spain.
Speaking of expansion, online bingo is one of the games which has easily found its way to the digital industry. Some of the most popular variants played in this part of the world include 90-ball which are played with rectangular cards, and as well as 75-ball, the most common variant in the US played with square cards.
Interestingly, some operators offer multiple customization options, so punters can adjust the shape and the color of the dauber (those are specialized types of ink pens used to mark bingo cards). Also, they can select new cards for each session or use the same cards in the next round.
This way, they manage to offer an authentic experience, which is quite close to the unique atmosphere spotted in land-based bingo rooms. Combined with the vivid atmosphere found in chat rooms, these gaming sessions are equally immersive as the ones from physical establishments- or even more.
That’s precisely one of the reasons why this game is players’ top choice, not only in Spain but in other parts of the world. After all, playing bingo can lead to better cognitive memory in later life - what’s not to like about it?
Player Protection in Spain
2021 brought a set of significant changes in this field, such as advertising restrictions and regulatory fees for licensees.
As far as the law defines, gaming-related ads on TV, radio, and YouTube are permitted only between 1 am to 5 am. In addition to this, gambling sponsorship is prohibited. Altogether, these stipulations aim to protect the vulnerable groups, with a special accent on minors.
One of the ideas is to establish a centralized self-exclusion register that would become available across autonomous communities as well as the national register, which would be governed by the state’s gambling regulator.
On top of that, almost every parlor has its own set of responsible gambling measures, so players can implement them if they need to. Those are limits on deposits, losses, and sometimes wagers, as well as the possibility to cool off. Some platforms even have a reality check option. Moreover, they mostly feature links to institutions that provide help, support, and counseling.
Regarding transactions in Bitcoin and other crypto assets, the Government requires platforms that offer these payment options to be licensed. That’s just one more proof that player protection is taken very seriously in this region.
Tips to Find the Best Online Bingo Room
As far as one of the top 10 facts about Spaniards say, enjoyment of life is very important to people from this region. Transferred to the universe of online gambling, enjoyment can be at its finest only when it goes hand in hand with safety.
For that reason, we have prepared a compilation of the hottest tips, to help you select the most suitable venue for yourself:
- Pay attention to the license
- Analyze the banking policy and check the list of available methods
- Explore the lobby, see which providers and game genres are available
- Take a look at promotional offers, bonuses, and Loyalty scheme
- Read Terms and Conditions carefully
This procedure will take a couple of your minutes, but consider it a smart investment as you will familiarize yourself with the rules of that place. Stay away from blacklisted rooms that have predatory Terms, or are known for delayed payments and poor or unresponsive customer support.
If there’s demo mode, use it to have a couple of rounds “on the house” and feel the atmosphere. This way you will get an even better picture of what suits you the best and where to invest your money.
Play responsibly!
History of Gambling in Spain The very first traces of gambling activities were spotted in cultural clubs, or to be more precise, in “gentlemen’s clubs”. This “gentlemen ideology” draws origins from France and Britain, where men used to gather in literary clubs not only to talk about literature but to socialize and gamble as well. Initially, one could access “by invite” only, but after the death of Ferdinand VII in 1833, the popularity of those clubs was on the continuous rise....
