MARBELLA CLUB

Expats will be barred from playing poker with fellow English-speakers internationally, while those who enjoy virtual bingo are likely to be frustrated in Spain. From June 1, only companies with a Spanish government-issued licence and an .es domain will be allowed to run online gambling sites in the country. The previous Socialist Party government passed a new gambling law last year that introduced the new rules, but the implementation of this was delayed when they lost power to the Popular Party in November. The new law doesn’t, however, cover bingo, meaning those who’ve taken to substituting the UK’s bingo halls for a bit of a flutter online will be out of luck. It has not been banned but the legal assumption is that if it isn't on the list of regulated products, it isn't legal. While sports betting is permitted under the new law, live in-play betting has been excluded and there has been speculation that the regulation of betting exchanges — such as that run by Betfair — will be delayed.