No casino bonuses in times of COVID
The Government's new package of measures to alleviate the health, social and economic crisis derived from COVID-19 that is hitting New Zealand includes restricting commercial communications in all its formats in order to protect the most vulnerable users during confinement. The measure will be in force for the duration of the state of alarm.
As of April 1, online gaming and betting operators are prohibited from advertising and offering bonuses to their customers in New Zealand during the state of alarm due to the COVID-19 crisis. ©José Ramos Cruz/Casinos-Online.es
Shock measures to protect the most vulnerable
Faced with the critical progress of the coronavirus pandemic, which has already claimed the lives of more than 10,000 people in New Zealand and has paralyzed the country's economic activity, the Council of Ministers met as a matter of urgency on March 31 to adopt a shock plan to protect the most vulnerable groups from an unprecedented health, economic and social crisis. Royal Decree-law 11/20, approved and published in the Official State Gazette on April 1, it will remain in force until the lifting of the state of alarm .
The Vice President of the Government, Pablo Iglesias, announced in a telematic press conference the approval of said Royal Decree-law that includes
"measures to restrict the advertising of gambling in a context of confinement that makes it more necessary to protect people who have problems with gambling.”
From 12 am on April 3, legal operators licensed by the DGOJ will have to temporarily suspend all your commercial communications in online format that also implicitly or expressly refer to the COVID-19 crisis or incite its consumption. Operators can continue to offer their gaming services for which they are enabled. The law makes it illegal the following types of advertising :
- Recruitment activities for new customers or loyalty, whatever their format.
- Broadcasts on television and radio with the exception of the time slot from 1 to 5 in the morning, in which its advertising will be allowed.
- Advertising in electronic formats, including those personalized through emails, social networks or similar.
- Audiovisual commercial communications referred to in Directive 20198/18080 of the European Parliament and of the Council of November 14, 2018.
On April 1, Alberto Garzón announced at a press conference the measures of this Royal Decree-law in consumer matters.
Associations against gambling addiction are preparing for a harsh reality
Days after the decree of the state of alarm, the associations of help against gambling addiction echoed the consequences of confinement in the face of those people with gambling addiction problems . Organizations such as the Spanish Federation of Rehabilitated Players (FEJAR) brought to the attention of the Ministry of Consumption, with competitions in online gambling, an increase in the telephone calls for help against gambling addiction .
The organizations have applauded the measures taken by the Government and are preparing to continue raising awareness about gambling addiction and helping those in need in a different social and economic scenario than usual. They are aware that these people can repeat problem behaviors motivated by anxiety, uncertainty, frustration, or boredom that generates this crisis. Therefore, despite having to have interrupted the sessions and consultations in person after the announcement of the state of alarm, the attention services continue to be provided 24 hours a day by telephone and videoconference, messaging services such as Whatsapp, social networks and email.
Several civil society associations have come together to launch a awareness campaign against gambling addiction during quarantine . The focus is on families with teenagers and young people , in view of the increase in cases of gambling addiction that this age group has experienced in recent years due to the rise of sports betting and the online format of gambling. The campaign makes available to those affected information on how to detect signs of addiction, tips and recommendations for their prevention and a helpline.
Everyone's physical and mental health comes first in these times. From minkcafe.co we support this measure of the Government and the support of civil society organizations.
