Andorra Casino Fails to Boost Gambling Self-Exclusions After Three Years

Andorra's casino, open for nearly three years, has not increased self-exclusions from gambling, with the registry holding steady at around 60 people, CRAJ director Xavier Bardina said ahead of the first Responsible Gambling Day in Andorra la Vella.

Speaking at the event, which gathered sector representatives, health professionals, international experts, and public officials to share best practices and align with European standards, Bardina described the figure as low and highly variable. About a quarter of those listed are people who have died or left the country, such as seasonal workers who registered upon arrival with temporary permits but never sought removal. He noted other common cases: individuals requesting reversal after the mandatory one-year period, short-term winter visitors, and recipients of public aid from social affairs, health, or education departments. Those receiving such support, along with their families, face automatic bans from gambling venues like the casino and bingo hall while the aid is active; this group shows greater fluctuations.

Bardina and CRAJ president Ramon Lladós, also the finance minister, stressed the need for greater awareness of responsible gambling. They pointed to Andorra's restrictive framework under the 2014 gambling law, which limits activities to in-person play at the casino and bingo hall, while banning online operators, betting shops, and slot machines—activities Lladós called major drivers of addiction elsewhere.

No major incidents have occurred since the casino's launch, thanks to oversight from CRAJ, police, and the Financial Intelligence Unit (UIFAnd). Self-exclusions require in-person applications and remain indefinite unless the person requests lifting after one year; reversals are not automatic.

The event also featured sessions on operator social responsibility and clinical perspectives from the Addictions Unit (UCA). UCA coordinator Angelina Santolària reported no exponential rise in pathological gambling cases despite recent demand growth, describing an overall slow evolution. Cases jumped from nine in 2013 to 15 in 2014, but have since stabilized; patients are mainly men aged 35 to 65.

Bardina added that ONCE lottery dispensers from Spain will appear in coming months under a new agreement, with negotiations ongoing with Loteries de Catalunya. He expects the Responsible Gambling Day to become an annual initiative.