Spanish Gaming Association Warns of Future Trouble
José Vall of ANESAR, Spain’s association for gaming entrepreneurs, recently published an open letter to the industry and government voicing concerns about the future of gaming in the country. This comes not long after AGEO, the Galician Association of Operating Companies, also shared a similar viewpoint via their president, Serafín Portas. ANESAR, which in English stands for the Spanish Association of Entrepreneurs of Game and Recreational Venues, are firmly on the side of increasing support for the gaming sector in light of financial uncertainty worldwide.
ANESAR’s president José Vall has penned an open letter voicing dissatisfaction with the Spanish government’s handling of gaming industry concerns amidst the mounting cost of living crisis. Scott Graham/Unsplash
Vall criticizes government for lack of action on behalf of gaming sector
Vall’s letter was intensely critical of Spain’s government and asserts that they have not offered enough of a plan for the gaming industry. He referenced the difficulties posed by two-plus years of dealing with Covid-19, which suppressed Spain’s economy and certainly its gaming industry. He also touched on the importance of keeping business going during what might be a tough economic period to come. Vall did not mince words as he began the letter:
“After a sleepy summer period, a new course begins in which it seems that curves are coming… Financial, political and economic analysis circles have been warning us every day so that we prepare for the worst. We attest to it; in our activity we are already noticing it and in a very severe way.”
Vall cited the cost of living crisis, which is affecting Spain as much as the rest of the Western world. More and more families are in danger of dipping below the poverty line and rely on food banks, according to recent reporting. It comes at a tough time as national economies have been crippled during the pandemic. Vall gave an example of how cost of living concerns will affect businesses like gambling:
“The account is clear. If our customers spend on, to give three examples, the shopping basket, fuel and mortgage, the amount available for leisure, which is the one that is affected in the first place, decreases drastically. If we add to this the fact that business costs have not only increased, but in some cases, such as electrical energy — essential in our activity —, it has doubled in some periods, the account is even clearer. And let’s not forget where we come from. It seems as if we have forgotten about Covid-19, but remember the last two years until last Christmas, just a few months ago. In short, we’ve had an absolutely disastrous three years.”
The ANESAR president honed in on government failings next, reproaching politicians for being in a “permanent electoral campaign” and insinuating that they do not accomplish much in the meantime. It’s an interesting assertion given recent pushes for gaming development in Spain, which have been waylaid for a number of reasons, like the respective Barcelona casino mega projects.
“[Our leaders] constantly sidestep the real problems to continue in battles that are neither interesting nor understood. Some, in addition, claim that the calls-to-action are made against the businessmen and not against those who really have the power and the duty to solve things, which are themselves.”
He continued by dissecting a recent move by Spain’s government to ask for citizens to voice their concerns first-hand. Vall balked at the idea, asking why businessmen are not also heard as they try to express their concerns and make viable proposals “on countless occasions.” He referred to the gaming industry as being “in need of aid” by the government.
“Curves and uncertainty, but businessmen do not know how to do anything other than continue working to maintain and grow our companies, and cooperate… Daily trading is in our DNA; That is why we know that we cannot go separately or do without anyone. Now more than ever we must all row in the same direction. To do this, we must also have strong business associations that engage in dialogue and negotiation. ANESAR was born 40 years ago with this mission and vision, and with the firm intention of achieving the best for our great sector year after year.”
No public response has been made by the Spanish government thus far. Though many businesses required government-funded support during Covid-19 worldwide to stay afloat, it would be a new step to see this applied to the gaming industry, which is, as Vall stated, considered a form of leisure. However, it is true that legal gaming generates significant tax revenue for government projects, so it is in government interest to work symbiotically and find solutions where possible.
