Currently the Spanish economy is really not doing well. In fact a good number of European countries are struggling and some are looking at internet gambling as an additional revenue stream. Spain is hoping for windfall from online gambling, but as this industry will be brand new, it is hard to say that will actually take place. One thing we can be assured of is that the Spaniards love a gamble, just as much, if not more than the rest of us do – especially considering their love of sports; in particular football.. Whether they will have the money to spend…well that remains to be seen?

The online gambling shake-up takes place this week, and the Government is hoping it will capture and audience as well as some much-needed tax income into their state coffers. Newly licensed companies are currently slugging it out to win to win market share, and there is definitely a sense that online poker and sports betting fans are lining up to take part. The Spanish government is heavily indebted to the EU and others, so, awarded licenses to operators for the first time on Friday the 1st June.

According to the outgoing central bank head – he recently warned that income tax in this country may really fall short as they struggle to refinance €98 billion in debt and deficit of €52 billion.
While the amount of tax to be raised from this new industry is bound to be small in comparison to the size of its debt and deficit, we all know every little bit helps. Online gambling firms will be taxed on gross profits, at between 10% and 25%. There will be no tax on individual wagers, so, it is not at the point of sale.

According to the gaming association, the Spanish market in this industry sector could be worth more than €800 million 0r $1 billion by 2014. So far the sector has been dominated by foreign players, even within Spain, and this includes with Codere – a large Spanish betting concern. With others about to enter into the fray we can’t wait to see what will take place.

Spain has no limit on the amount of licenses it will award, which unlike most European countries. Take for example Germany which is only allowing seven for the time being. So far, fifty-nine gambling firms have applied for these licenses. Only a small portion of the fifty-nine applicants have been turned down, and only those which have not met all the necessary requirements need have fear of being turned down.

Sportingbet and Bwin.party digital (both London Stock exchange listed) are already active in the unregulated Spanish market, and are expected to be main contenders. Betfair, Ladbroke and 888 will be joining the crowd. Currently his online gambling sector is considered to be ‘on fire’. People are also fully aware that if you don’t have an online presence, then there is probably no future for your business. This tenet does not only apply to the Internet gambling industry, it basically applies to us all.

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