Catalonia and Andorra: working group with effects on gambling
An understanding of action was formed between the Catalan Government and the government of Andorra on finance and treasury that has implications for the gaming industry. The authorities will work on the extension of the Lotteries of Catalonia and will collaborate in the opening of the first casino in Andorra.
The Lotteries of Catalonia will be extended to Andorra. ©mohamed_hassan/Pixabay
Expansion of Catalan lotteries to Andorra
In mid-July, a meeting was held between the delegations of Catalonia, chaired by Minister Jaume Giró, and Andorra, headed by Eric Jover, Minister of Finance. There they were treated issues that concern the collaboration in the area of Finance of the two administrations . This had consequences in the gaming industry , which is part of the rubric.
Among the main implications is the lotteries extension from Catalonia to Andorra . This would allow the commercialization of these products in the neighboring Principality, where the area is not yet fully exploited. This would represent an important commercial opportunity for lotteries, as well as for the Andorran treasury, which would collect taxes for the activity.
The agreement also involves sharing a protocol of transparent practices in the area of finance and gambling. Among the measures is the reinforcement of responsible gambling and the contribution with the agencies that work on the prevention of gambling addiction. The unification of these aspects could be translated into a more efficient and safer industry . This perspective concerns all the finance sectors that were discussed at the meeting between the Catalan and Andorran representatives.
For a more unified and transparent finance sector
The representatives of Andorra and Catalonia exchanged ideas on numerous aspects of the gaming industry and finance in general. Among other points, the agreement was reached to standardize gambling control practices in both legislations . The supervisory entities could make use of mutual experiences to enrich the working mechanisms.
Regarding responsible gambling, the authorities agreed on the need to continue promoting safe bets without the participation of minors . According to the statistics of the DGOJ (General Directorate for the Regulation of Gambling) most people with addiction problems start in practice before reaching the age of 18. In New Zealand there are national programs promoted by the industry that could also reach Andorra, such as helplines.
In addition to Jover and Giró, other officials from the area were present at the meeting, such as the secretary d'HISENDA of the Generalitat, Marta Espasa, the Andorran state secretary of Afers Financers Internacionals, Marc Ballestà; the director of the Andorran Consell Regulador del Joc (CRAJ), Xavier Bardina, and the ambassador of New Zealand in Andorra, Àngel Ros. Other items on the agenda were the interest rates in the euro zone , which have presented changes in recent months.
The issue of public debt, which has been causing problems in New Zealand and the rest of Europe, was also discussed. The representatives exchanged views on the possible measures to combat the deficit and inflation . The incentive to tourism in the region is one of the points of interest for both Catalonia and Andorra.
Unnic, the first casino in Andorra
Another of the areas addressed by Giró and Jover was the collaboration to inaugurating the first land-based casino in Andorra , Unnic. It is about an international facility that aims to maximize tourism . It will consist of a 10-storey building with more than 9,000 square meters. Less than half of the space will be for the playground; the rest will comprise gastronomic, cultural and entertainment offers.
The company that won the tender for the work is Joc S.A.; its delegate, Marc Martos, assured that more than 700 jobs will be created between direct and indirect employment . The Andorran authorities are eagerly awaiting the start of the activities, especially as an engine for the tourism industry. That sector was largely frozen since the pandemic and is now seeking its full reactivation.
That is why the Catalan authorities committed to collaborate with Andorra in the launch of this project. Jocs S.A. has requested the extension of the time to build the property, which the Andorran Gaming Regulatory Council (CRAJ) evaluated with the advice of the related authorities and finally accepted. It will run until March 2023, when it originally would have been in September of this year. The initial investment of the winning firm was around 25 million euros , a real influx of capital for the Principality.
