Spain Investment Immigration focus on local news in Spain: The Spanish government has pre-disclosed that it will allow "slot machine halls" in the Madrid casino complex to be designated as special smoking areas. The government's change of heart regarding the anti-smoking law is primarily to ensure the smooth progress of the "Madrid Casino Project" currently being planned in Madrid.
After Madrid's failed Olympic bid, the regional government of Madrid has continuously pressured the Rajoy central government, claiming that Madrid cannot afford to miss out on this investment project worth 16 billion euros. In the preliminary disclosure of the legislative amendment by the Ministry of Health, the reason for restricting smoking only to "slot machine" halls is that the crowd in such entertainment halls is relatively less dense, which will not affect the health of non-smokers. The government stated that a comprehensive amendment to the anti-smoking law is impossible, as it would represent a regression rather than progress. "Where there is smoke, there is a public health issue." Therefore, this legislative amendment is restrictive, "relaxing the anti-smoking law to a certain extent without violating the previous anti-smoking legislation."
This relaxation of the smoking ban may affect slot machine gaming halls in 41 casinos nationwide, allowing them to be opened as smoking areas. However, the government has not clarified whether this amendment applies only to the Madrid casino complex or to all casinos.