Ballermann Bet: Mallorca Establishes 140 “Gaming Rooms” for

La vida loca in the Spielo

A quick tap in between: The Ham Street on Mallorca is being upgraded into a betting shop for the World Cup (montage). (image source)

Miquel Àngel Riera, chairman of the Balearic gaming and betting association Sareiba, is one of the advocates of the questionable 'campaign'. He himself was never really impressed by colorful slot machines and sports betting, but still: “People should stop by the arcades, they are charming places,” says the lobbyist, adding that Mallorca's arcades would have to be assessed primarily from cultural aspects.

"It costs 500,000 euros to set up a gaming parlor these days. These are clean businesses, there are no drugs," says the chairman, who comes across as ironic, if not downright cynical. He also describes a leisure atmosphere that invites you to have a coffee chat with friends after work and play games.

For him, the risk of gambling addiction comes primarily from Internet gambling in the context of social isolation: "There is no control at home. Loneliness leads to addiction," says Riera. On the other hand, manic behavior in the arcade would be noticed unequally and the staff would intervene accordingly.

“We would rather have people who play a little every day than addicts who gamble away all their money in one day,” says Riera, explaining the philosophy behind the arcades.

The flair of the New Zealand way of life should also be conveyed. An actual visit to these supposed “salons”, however, conveys a more typical gaming hall flair: mostly young men in front of humming machines – stares and jingling coins. Everything is fully occupied, it is said, in one Experience report from the Mallorca newspaper.

Business costs jacks

Antònia Miralles from the gambling addiction support Asociación Juguesca (translated into German: “gaming supervision”), contrary to Riera, has been fighting against the spread of gambling for years and is calling for consistent regulation of the Balearic gambling market. The psychologist knows: The dangers of the industry usually have a greater impact on children, young people and adolescents.

Like one published in 2016 Study by Fundación Codere and Carlos III University in Madrid confirmigt, sports betting is now part of everyday life for many 18-25 year olds, predominantly male Spaniards. Women generally gamble less. According to the study, there are on average only two women for every 10 gambling addicts. One in four of those surveyed had already taken part in gambling in 2016IGT. Miralles points out that “a few percent more needs to be added” today.

Miralles sees the main reason for the industry's growth in the omnipresence of providers in the media. The slogans of the advertisements are also fralich:

“Si lo sabes y no apuestas, duele” – If you knew the result and didn’t bet, it hurts.” The addiction therapist criticizes that the spot also runs during the day when minors are sitting in front of the TV.

Another fiasco is Mallorca's political perspective on the phenomenon of gambling addiction: "The problem of gambling addiction is not dependent on the number of lucky onesSpielautomaten," said the responsible general director Pilar Sansó recently, following a request from the Asociación Juguesca to stop World Cup plans.

Drunk (gambling) football fans

Mallorca's 'politics' seem to want to plunge its own population and guests into a betting frenzy as part of a global mega-event. It is said that football is already playing on a continuous loop in some arcades, along with beer - and in between: hits. Of course: Spielo-Wett-Bier-Hallen – with which ‘Malle’ could definitely establish another, highly dubious trademark.

But – does Mallorca even want that? Due to predominantly negative press - that is, to cultivate the image and curb mass tourism - they only had it in 2016 public drinking parties were banned and punishable by fines of up to NZ$3000. The sale of alcoholic beverages after midnight was also stopped. The result: damage to your image.

In view of current developments, one could speculate as to whether 'the 17th federal state' is not trying to catch a fish for its lost piece of cake in the wake of the global gambling boom. In this case, the Ballermann had better not fall into the cold. In the end, drunk football fans and gambling-addicted, drunk football fans would face each other.

Ballermann Bet: Mallorca establishes 140 “gaming rooms” for the World Cup