The FMRM brings together representatives from ONCE, CERMI, the Government Delegation and the Regional Assembly to address a problem that affects legal certainty, consumer protection and the defense of authorized operators
The Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia has held a working meeting to analyze the problems arising from the illegal marketing of gambling products with cash prizes, such as coupons, tickets, raffles, slips or lotteries, an activity that has been detected in different municipalities and that requires a coordinated response between administrations, security forces, social entities and legally authorized operators.
The meeting was attended by the president of the Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia, Víctor Manuel López Abenza, and the secretary general of the FMRM, Antonio Moreno. Also present were regional deputies Sonia Ruiz and Santiago López Noguera; Juan Carlos Morejón, representing ONCE (the Spanish National Organization of the Blind); Francisco García, representing CERMI (the Spanish Committee of Representatives of People with Disabilities); and, representing the Government Delegation, Jorge Pérez López, head of the National Police Section, and José Pedro Coll Granero, inspector of the National Police.
During the meeting, the need to strengthen collaboration between public administrations and the entities involved was highlighted in order to prevent, detect, and report the sale of gambling products without the corresponding administrative authorization. Current regulations stipulate that gambling activities, including raffles, lotteries, sweepstakes, and tickets with monetary compensation and prizes, require legal authorization or prior permits, and that state-level lotteries are reserved for legally authorized operators.
The FMRM has emphasized that these practices not only violate gambling regulations but also cause significant social and economic harm. This includes the lack of protection for consumers, the absence of guarantees regarding prize payouts, the potential lack of control over minors' access, unfair competition against authorized operators, and harm to entities that operate legally.
The president of the FMRM, Víctor Manuel López Abenza, has pointed out that "municipalities are a fundamental piece in detecting this type of practice in the territory, but they need coordination, clear information and agile channels of communication with the competent administrations and the security forces."
He also stressed that "the illegal sale of gambling products with cash prizes cannot be normalized or confused with legitimate social initiatives. When gambling is carried out without authorization, it puts consumers at risk, harms legal operators, and, in many cases, uses a veneer of social purpose that can generate confusion among the public."
During the meeting, the applicable legal framework was also analyzed. It was noted that inspection and enforcement powers related to gambling fall under the jurisdiction of the autonomous communities, and specifically, within the Region of Murcia, under the Gambling Management and Taxation Service of the Regional Tax Agency of Murcia. Meanwhile, police actions aimed at investigating, intervening in, and seizing materials related to the illegal sale of gambling products are the responsibility of the National Police Corps.
In this regard, representatives from the Government Delegation reported on the operation carried out during 2024, conceived as a true "Action Day," which resulted in the seizure of approximately 1.200 lottery tickets allegedly sold illegally. This operation was conducted jointly by the Gaming Management and Taxation Service of the Tax Agency of the Region of Murcia and the National Police Corps, demonstrating the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration in combating these practices.
The attendees agreed on the importance of strengthening this line of work by organizing new joint actions with a broader territorial scope. To this end, it was agreed to contact Beatriz Martínez, head of the Gaming Management and Taxation Service of the Tax Agency of the Region of Murcia, to explore the possibility of planning a new regional "Action Day" to intensify control and inspection efforts.
Likewise, the participation of the Local Police forces of the municipalities of the Region of Murcia was valued, in the exercise of the functions of collaboration and assistance to the State Security Forces and Corps provided for in Organic Law 2/1986, of March 13, on Security Forces and Corps.
In order to facilitate such institutional cooperation, the Secretary General of the Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia proposed promoting the signing of a framework agreement for collaboration between the Federation and the Government Delegation in the Region of Murcia, which the associated municipalities can subsequently join, allowing the establishment of common protocols for action, exchange of information and coordination mechanisms against the illegal marketing of gambling products.
The meeting also agreed on the desirability of promoting measures for institutional coordination, strengthening information to municipalities and establishing collaboration mechanisms so that local councils can act, within their powers, in support of the control, inspection and reporting work that corresponds to the competent administrations and police forces.
The Federation of Municipalities will convey to the town councils the importance of increasing vigilance against street vendors or those selling gambling products with cash prizes in establishments that do not have authorization, as well as reporting any indication to the competent authorities.
With this meeting, the FMRM reaffirms its commitment to legality, consumer protection, the defense of vulnerable groups, and loyal collaboration between institutions to eradicate illegal gambling practices in the Region of Murcia. The Federation will also work jointly with the Government Delegation, the Tax Agency of the Region of Murcia, local councils, and affected entities to strengthen the mechanisms for detecting, monitoring, and prosecuting these illicit activities throughout the region.
