Consumer protection on online gambling websites hosted by licensed operators in Spain.

Abstract

Since market regulation was first implemented, the online gambling sector in Spain has exhibited a significant upward trend. In addition to its financial impact, the social, public well-being and health implications of this leisure activity should also be taken into account. In order to foster moderate, non-compulsive and responsible attitudes towards gambling, Article 8 of the 2011 law regulating the sector requires that this leisure activity be carried out in line with a coherent policy of corporate social responsibility that encompasses prevention, awareness-raising, intervention and oversight measures, as well as strategies to deal with any negative consequences of such gambling. Against this backdrop, the overall purpose of our study is to explore the consumer protection policies posted on online gambling websites hosted by licensed operators in Spain. Of the 45 operators detected in our initial research sample, each hosting at least one online gambling website, 40 run an operational web page. The research methodology used here is content analysis. The variables explored relate to the two main dimensions of any addiction prevention program: (1) information and awareness-raising, and (2) the promotion of specific prevention measures. In general terms, real compliance with basic prevention criteria requires improvements both in terms of the content and form of these communications.