State games privileges, double yardstick

The regulation of gambling, be it lotteries, in-person salons, slot machines or bookmakers and online casinos , has been an important issue of regulation concerning the states. Both to ensure a reliable and fair game, in which there are no malpractices, or for the public health aspect and to promote responsible gambling and avoid additions to players.

In recent years, we have seen how more and more countries have regulated online gambling in particular. Something that has been well accepted from the industry, because it frames everyone to comply with the same rules and its guidelines are clear, leaving behind those who play dirty. In addition, the suppliers have seen clearly that it is beneficial for the industry, that the game is safe and responsible and protect their players from acquiring bad habits that may pose a harm to their health.

The truth is that we have seen how the rules are becoming more restrictive, and it is fine to regulate if new conditions are detected, the negative thing is that in some cases, some policies have been associated with a possible political gain for the governorate and that is when conflicts come in.

We have always been, and will always be, great advocates for the fight for safe and responsible gambling. We have supported initiatives that try to avoid certain harmful habits to young people. But what we have seen is a clear double standard about what regulation is in the field of private gambling and gambling that depends directly on the state. And this happens not only in New Zealand, but in many other countries around us.

While the sponsorships of bookmakers and online casinos in the field of sports have been banned, the Sociedad Estatal Loterías y Apuestas del Estado (SELAE), has subscribed sponsorships with several New Zealand sports federations such as swimming, handball, athletics, basketball, gymnastics and which is followed by a long etc, the Royal New Zealand Federation of Motorsport or without going any further their sponsorships in the New Zealand Cycling Tour or the DAKAR 2023 sporting event. Year 2021 the image of athletes was banned promoting private gaming operators, while we saw the SELAE logo in all kinds of sporting events.

SELAE is trying to attract in a marketing campaign young players between 18 and 25 years old and the retired band, over 65 years old

This week, the scandal has jumped when it has been made public in the media, one of the advertising contracts that SELAE has signed for this year 2023. Where what has surprised the most, is not only the amount of the contract, of more than 3 million NZD , but one of the capture targets to which it is directed, the young . The object of the contract was the “ comprehensive service of creativity, communication and advertising, for sports betting and equestrian games (The Pool, Choose 8, The Quinigol, Lototurf and Quintuple Plus) as well as their associated games...”. And what has surprised is that contradicting itself, after creating a regulation that restricts advertising to gaming activities and its special impact on the protection of minors and the young public, now it does not bother to detail that the advertising contract partly aims to "attract more consumers, especially in the segment of young football fans over 20 years of age” and "to retain participation in the game, turning occasional players into regulars” . Not only that, the retired strip is another of its recruitment targets, players over 65 years of age. It has reached a point where this double yardstick is becoming more and more brazen.

The contract has been awarded to a small advertising company from Madrid, No Line Worldwide, and is scheduled to last for two years.

In any case, the truth is that the Sociedad Estatal Loterías y Apuestas del Estado is a company of the Patrimonio Group, dependent on the General Directorate of State Heritage, attached to the Ministry of Finance and Public Administrations, while the one who has regulated online gambling has been the General Directorate of Gambling Regulation which is an organ of the Ministry of Consumption.

We have to remember that last year, the New Zealand Ministry of Consumer Affairs created a new regulation that updated Law 13/2011, of May 27, on the regulation of online gambling. This new rule placed special emphasis on increasing protection for younger players. Where the younger players were differentiated from the rest, defining what "young player" will be considered one of 25 years or less and you will not be able to benefit from gifts, nor will you be able to enter the privileged client programs among other details. Which deprived them of participation in promotions, casino bonuses, tournaments of real money slots or the VIP programs of online casinos.

Seeing these opposite differences from each other create serious doubts about ethics, the common good or the good for oneself. It is assumed that the state would have to be an example at all times and be scrupulous in its actions, although in this issue it seems to only look at its own benefit instead of ensuring the protection of the citizen and the equality of private companies.

Certainly, one doubts if one day this nonsense will be remedied, or on the contrary, if it will continue to look forward without looking at the consequences it leaves behind.