As Spain moves closer towards collective regulation governing online gaming in the region, María Ángeles González, Technical Secretary General from the Ministry of Interior, Comisión Nacional del Juego, will be providing timely and exclusive insight into how the regulatory programme is progressing and what the resultant landscape may look like at: Online Gambling in Spain – A Regulatory Update on 9 March 2009, at the InterContinental Hotel, Madrid (www.spainonlineconference.com).

This vital regulatory update will provide strategic and tactical market insight for Spanish operators, and international operators considering entering this lucrative market, at a time of renewed political interest on the subject of new regulations.

Following last December’s motion from the main opposition party to convince Spain’s ruling Socialist Party to introduce the promised online gambling regulations within a three-month period, last week a lobbying group of private operators has petitioned the Spanish government to fast-track the introduction of new national regulations after research showed that the currently unregulated market generated revenues of at least €200m last year.

At what promises to be one of the last, if not the very last opportunity to get together before the new regulations are passed, leading minds will convene to discuss the issues associated with upcoming change and offer tangible and working solutions.

Hear Codere’s Fernando Ors, Sportium’s Alberto Eljarrat and Betfair Espana’s Sacha Michaud discuss whether Spain is ready for a regulated online gambling market.

Learn from the very voice of Mr Artemi Rallo, Director General of the Spanish Data Protection Commission, how it will be possible to overcome some of the legal challenged poised by the legislation.

On the topic of Online Poker, join Juan Barrachina, Chairman of the Spanish Poker Association, Albert Agustinoy from legal firm Cuatrecasas, and Carlo Costanzia from Gioco Digitale, on their discussion of how poker is likely to be treated under the forthcoming regulatory regime.

Regulators from other European jurisdictions – Mr. Wilsenach from Alderney, Mr. Borg from Malta, Mr. Himes from the Remote Gambling Association – will bring their experience to the table to see if there are any lessons to be learnt from similar efforts conducted elsewhere

Xavier Munoz Bellvehi, Senior Partner at Spanish Law Firm, Legal Link who is supporting the event said: “With the spectre of regulatory change looming, operators need light shone on the pathways that this regulation may take and how it will potentially affect their operations and strategy. This event brings together all the leading players – regulators, advisors, operators, and lawyers – to ensure that key risks and opportunities are exposed and that everyone who attends leaves with a very clear sense of direction for the coming months.”

More information including a full agenda and list of speakers can be found at: http://www.spainonlineconference.com

Contact: Awedacity Ltd / Rory Credland/

Source: Press release