The Spanish Government recently announced that it will permit online gambling operators to acquire Spanish online gambling licenses from 1st January, 2012 and online casino operators are now proceeding to apply for these licenses.

The Spanish online gambling trade association (AEDAPI) has cautioned online casino operators about the high 25% tax that is imposed on operators’ net income in Spain and that certain forms of gambling will be temporarily excluded.  Operators were also warned that there is still much work to be done and many ways of improving the gambling laws for the Spanish market.

Rank plc intends launching its new Spanish online gambling site enRacha.com next year and will offer a wide range of Spanish online slots, skill games, card games and casino and poker games.

Another company who has also announced its intention to enter the Spanish online gambling market is Ladbrokes, the United Kingdom betting company.  Ladbrokes announced an agreement with Microgaming, the leading online casino software provider, for its online casino and poker products.

Ladbroke’s site for the Spanish market, LBApuestas, will go live as soon as it receives its license.  The site will offer a variety of online casino titles from Microgaming’s Flash and Download casino clients.  Microgaming’s online poker software will also be leased and Ladbrokes will be offering Spanish online gamblers a wide selection of tournaments and poker cash games.