Spanish Casino and Card Room Gaming

Casinos have been legal in Spain since 1977. The regulatory framework is set up by a combination of national and local laws. Casinos are not allowed to advertise gambling activities but can run ads regarding special events and other services they offer.

Gaming machines are divided into three classes: A, B and C. Type A machines are meant for recreation only, Type B are low-payout slot machines and Type C are high-payout slot machines. Type C machines may only be located in casinos, while Type B may be installed in non-casino arcades.

In December 2007 the regional government of Aragon approved a Las Vegas-style project called Gran Scala. Its plans include 32 casinos, theme parks, a racecourse and a stadium. The development has a price tag of USD 24.5 billion. In March 2008, developers received final approval to break ground for Gran Scala. Phase I of the project was slated for completion in 2012, but due to the economic crisis it has been pushed back tentatively to 2025.

In October 2012, Las Vegas Sands announced it wanted to begin construction of a Las Vegas-style project in Madrid by the end of 2013. The development was abandoned in 2014, when the developer could not get a smoking exemption for the casino.