Poll results: Regulator resignation to delay Spanish market opening

Deputy general director of the Spanish gambling authority Juan Carlos Alfonso Rubio last week resigned after just a year in the role, creating uncertainty about the opening of the country’s online gambling market.

As exclusively revealed by eGaming Review the Spanish government then acted quickly to identify a replacement for Alfonso earlier this week, with two candidates heavily linked to the position. State attorneys Carlos Montes and Carlos Hernandez Riera have been shortlisted to be his potential replacements with Hernandez Riera thought to be the most likely replacement.

However, while it seems likely that Alfonso will be replaced sooner rather than later, an overwhelming majority of readers believe that his departure will cause further delays to the opening of the market. More than 80% of those polled saidthe opening would be pushed back further, after being delayed by up to six months in late December last year.

In January Alfonso told eGR that he expected licences to be awarded by 31 March, and earlier this month sources in Spain confirmed that 80% of operators had received pre-approval for licences. The head of the regulatory body Enrique Alejo, who was appointed in January this year, has since denied this.

The deputy general director of gaming management Miguel Ordozgoiti, responsible for technical compliance, has also been replaced, with Jaime Lorenzo stepping into the role, potentially causing further delays as the new team reviews the processes implemented by the previous administration. As a result only 19% of readers believe the regulatory process has gained enough momentum to withstand the upheaval and open on time.