UNAD Renews Call for Total Gambling Ad Ban in Spain

Spain’s Network for Addiction Care (UNAD) has reiterated its demand for the complete ban on all gambling and betting advertising, asserting that such promotional messaging is incompatible with prevention efforts and public health policies. 

UNAD Calls for Gambling Ad Ban

UNAD president Luciano Poyato stressed that “promoting gambling is fundamentally at odds with prevention,” warning that anyone can be susceptible to addiction, particularly when exposure starts at a young age. The network calls for comprehensive prevention and awareness initiatives, including programs that encourage healthy recreational options for youth and vulnerable groups. It also urges the prompt adoption of new regulations to cap deposits on online gambling platforms, aiming to reduce gambling’s social and health-related harms.

UNAD highlighted that non-substance addictions, such as gambling, betting, and video gaming, do not produce visible physical signs, which makes early detection more difficult. The organization explained that because these behaviors are so socially normalized, they are often identified only once they have become chronic. By that point, the psychological, social, and economic harm is significantly greater.

UNAD Shares Some Data

According to UNAD’s latest study, Profile of People Served in the UNAD Network, a total of 1,304 individuals received treatment for non-substance addictions across 24 member organizations, with women representing 24% of the total. Most female patients were Spanish nationals over the age of 49, employed, and with dependent children. Their main in-person addiction was to slot machines, followed by bingo, while their primary online addiction was related to video gaming.

Meanwhile, among men, the typical profile consists of Spanish nationals aged 34 to 41, who are employed and generally without children. Their main addictions also involve slot machines, followed by sports betting, both in-person and online.

UNAD recognized recent regulatory progress, particularly the draft resolution from Spain’s Directorate General for Gambling Regulation (DGOJ), which introduces new technical standards for responsible gambling messaging under Royal Decree 958/2020.

Nevertheless, the network maintains that additional action is needed to prevent commercial messaging from reinforcing addictive behaviors.  Most importantly, the organization argues for a total ban on all gambling-related advertising, both offline and online. UNAD views this as an essential step toward enhancing protections for minors, young people, and vulnerable populations through tighter controls on advertising and sponsorship.

UNAD paid extra attention to the increasing number of betting shops that are popping up across the country. And lastly, the organization advocates for the harmonization of regional gambling regulations to guarantee uniform protection for vulnerable individuals throughout Spain.