AWPs survive threat in Spanish region

AWP machines in the Spanish province of Extremadura came under threat last week from a proposal to impose heavy restrictions on operations.

The local parliament, however, rejected the proposal by 14-3. It had come from the United Group for Extremadura, who lamented having to make the proposition to the department of finance, rather than that for health, as it considered the use of machines as a “pathological health disorder.”

The party proposed to restrict arcades and other gambling venues and introduced measure to cut down on the opportunity to play. It alleged that 25 per cent of players were “problem gamblers.” It proposed that the distance between venues should be increased, the number of licences should be reduced and the issue of new licences suspended.

The proposal to ban sports betting terminals in arcades, bingo halls and casinos was also voted down.