Codere asks Consumo to differentiate legal from illegal gambling
The Spanish multinational Codere issued a clarifying statement demanding that the Ministry of Consumer Affairs precisely distinguish between legal operators and illegal platforms, while also requesting the correction of “inaccurate and erroneous information” that, according to the company, causes direct harm to the regulated sector and to the thousands of workers who depend on it.
The company maintains that certain recent communications have mixed data related to the underground market with figures from the authorized sector, generating confusion among the public and affecting the reputation of companies that operate under license and strictly comply with Law 13/2011 and the current regulatory framework.
Codere emphasized that Spanish regulation establishes very strict controls — including identity verification systems, advanced Responsible Gaming mechanisms, technical audits, and tax and reporting obligations — which do not exist on unauthorized platforms. “Equating both realities is profoundly unfair,” the statement indicates. “Legal operators invest millions in technology, security, employment, and player protection; meanwhile, illegal operators evade taxes, rules, and controls.”
The company also recalled that the regulated sector contributes significantly to the Spanish economy through tax collection, direct and indirect employment, and cooperation with authorities in the prevention of fraud, money laundering, and the protection of vulnerable groups. Therefore, it insists on the need for public institutions to make clear distinctions so as not to confuse citizens.
Likewise, Codere warns that the persistence of messages mixing sources and data from legal and illegal gaming could ultimately benefit precisely the clandestine operators: “Misinforming about the regulated market only generates distrust among players and pushes some consumers toward sites that operate without any supervision.”
Original letter:
"In light of the news published by the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and Agenda 2030 titled: «Consumer Affairs sanctions 26 gaming operators with more than 3 million euros for serious violations: Betfair, 888, and Codere among those fined» and the media coverage received, Codere wishes to clarify and state the following:
- The actual sanction versus the tendentious headline that leads to inaccurate and erroneous information and whose dissemination causes serious harm to Codere:
- The sanction imposed on our company amounts to 17,500 euros, a figure within the scale of penalties provided for minor infractions.
- The facts therefore differ vastly from the interpretation derived from a headline that amalgamates 26 cases and a total amount exceeding 3 million euros.
- It is evident that including Codere in such a generic and alarmist headline generates a disproportionately negative impact on our brand’s reputation, suggesting a large financial penalty that is completely false. It is in the details of the news where the actual sanction amount is specified, which goes unnoticed due to the severity of the headline.
- Need to differentiate legal and illegal gaming:
- Once again, we regret that a clear and rigorous distinction is not made between gaming operators legally operating in Spain, such as Codere, and those operating illegally.
- Moreover, in Codere’s case, the sanctioning resolution expressly states that it was Codere itself, firmly committed to legal gaming, that reported the incidents to the DGOJ before they were detected by the supervisor’s periodic controls and the sanctioning procedure.
- Of the total of more than 33 million euros in fines recorded in the report, more than 89% (over 29 million euros) falls on illegal operators (some with fines of several million and closure of their websites), while the remaining 3.5 million euros is distributed among 26 legal operators. Despite this clear difference and the fact that the headline only mentions three legal operators without naming any illegal offenders, it is worth noting that Codere presents, by far, the lowest sanctioned amount within the legal group, with a fine of 17,500€, a figure not comparable to the million-euro fines or closures imposed on illegal operations.
From Codere we reiterate the need to:
- Act with the utmost rigor, transparency, and diligence when communicating sensitive information affecting the regulated sector.
- Make a clear and unequivocal distinction in official communications between those operators who rigorously comply with Spanish regulations (Legal Gaming) and those who operate outside the law (Illegal Gaming).
- Avoid the use of headlines that confuse, manipulate, or damage the image of companies that, like Codere, generate employment, fulfill their tax obligations, and contribute to the country’s economic development under a strict legal framework.
- Rectify the meaning of information that is inaccurate and erroneous and causes evident harm to the brand image of committed operators, such as Codere, who support legal gaming.
Codere reiterates its commitment to responsible gaming, legality, and collaboration with authorities to ensure a safe and transparent gaming environment"
Tags: Spain, Codere, Codere Online, Codere Spain