Barcelona City Council has introduced revised regulations aimed at limiting the expansion of gambling venues in vulnerable neighbourhoods.
The strategy, which is now entering a public consultation period, focuses on restricting the opening of casinos, bingo halls and other gambling venues in 24 neighbourhoods identified as the most vulnerable and at highest risk of gambling-related harm by the Barcelona Public Health Agency (AESPB).
The City Council's Governing Commission has agreed to extend the suspension of new licences for these venues, which was introduced last year, but only in the neighbourhoods covered by the new planning framework.
The so-called Regulation Zone 1 includes the four Ciutat Vella neighbourhoods of Raval, Gòtic, Barceloneta and Sant Pere i Santa Caterina i la Ribera, as well as El Carmel, La Teixonera and La Clota. It also covers several of the city's more peripheral neighbourhoods.
In total, the restrictions apply to 24 neighbourhoods, representing around 31% of Barcelona. Other areas covered by the plan may be subject to changes if there are significant updates to the AESPB risk indicators and could allow new licences to be granted.
However, the council said all new applications must comply with regional gambling regulations and municipal planning requirements.
Under these, new gaming halls, bingo halls or casinos cannot be opened in properties adjacent to residential homes or in locations accessed through shared or private residential spaces.
The relocation or opening of betting shops is also not permitted if another gambling venue is already located within a 100-metre radius or if the site is within 100 metres of educational centres, hospitals, inpatient clinics or assisted living facilities.
The City Council's Urban Planning Management, which drafted the plan, identified a total of 50 gambling establishments currently operating in Barcelona. Of these, 34 are gaming halls, 15 are bingo halls and one is a casino.
The Spanish Supreme Court is set to decide soon whether municipal urban planning rules can restrict private gambling activities
