Spain, along with France, Italy and Portugal signed up to the European poker liquidity deal in recent years. The deal amongst the four countries involved sharing player pools to make the most out of the sky-high demand in each country.
The rise of online poker and remote gambling, in general, has hit Spain’s land-based resorts, but not as much as it has in other countries. Across Spain, there are 60 land-based casinos with live poker facilities, as well as 50 or so more venues that specialize in solely poker tournaments.
The biggest casinos are to be found in either Madrid or Barcelona, with one or two sizeable establishments in the south of the country, but the current sitting government has placed a tax rate of 15% on online gambling companies as well as making it tougher to obtain a gambling licences.
These moves were taken to protect consumers from unscrupulous providers and help boost the economy. However, the government’s decision seems to have had a negative impact on the industry.
Overseas gambling companies have stepped in to fill the void left by a lack of Spanish companies, meaning not only that they do not pay Spanish taxes, but that all profits are taken out of the country.
No Copyright infringement intended. Video/Photo Unknown Direct for credits/issue or text us +57 3606412 ... | Respect to Photographers & Influencers
