Market debut
Leading game aggregator and content provider PariPlay Ltd announced its entry into the Spanish market in partnership with MGA Games. This means that players in Spain will get access to PariPlay’s locally approved content through its Fusion aggregation platform. 888casino will be the first brand to host PariPlay’s games in Spain, with expansion through other operators coming in the future.
content that is fully localized to the given region
The Fusion platform gives partners access to an extensive library of content that is fully localized to the given region, as well as other features like player retention tools. Since MGA Games launches new online slots every few weeks, it is an ideal fit for PariPlay’s needs in Spain.
Speaking about the partnership, MGA Games CEO Joan Sanahuja called it a unique opportunity to expand his company’s reach to more operators. PariPlay managing director Adrian Bailey referenced the excitement within the company to launch in Spain alongside MGA. PariPlay believes that its partner’s “pioneering spirit” will be an excellent addition to the Fusion aggregation platform.
A growing sector
Despite Spanish authorities imposing restrictions on the gambling sector, the iGaming space in the country has been thriving of late. PariPlay referenced this growth in its Spanish launch press release. In the first quarter of 2020, total online gambling revenue in Spain was almost €218m ($260m). This was a rise of 17.6% from the previous quarter, according to figures from the country’s regulator, the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ).
Sports betting did take a big hit during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the widespread cancellation of sporting events. Online casinos thrived, however, with revenues of €93.5m ($112m) in the second quarter, a 36.5% year-on-year increase. There was also a sizeable jump in online poker play, with revenues improving 97% year-on-year to €38.2m ($45.6m).
PariPlay itself has been having a good 2020, entering the gambling markets in Portugal and Switzerland already this year.
Restrictions in Spain
As mentioned, the Spanish government has been piling on the online gambling restrictions lately. Strict new gambling advertising rules were recently put in place for Spanish operators.
Until now we have lived in the law of the jungle, where anything can be done.”
One of the most significant changes is the complete ban on gambling companies sponsoring sports teams. Many soccer clubs in Spain rely heavily on sponsorship revenue from the gambling sector, but will have to end all associations with gaming partners by September 2021. There are also new rules in place on when gambling ads can air, as well as a ban on welcome bonuses.
The champion for many of these changes is Spain’s Minister of Consumer Affairs Alberto Carzon, who has stated that there was no regulation of gambling advertising until the new Royal Decree. Carzon said: “Until now we have lived in the law of the jungle, where anything can be done.”