La Rioja creates the Gaming Commission with companies, unions, and consumers

The Governing Council of La Rioja approved Decree 20/2026, of September 15, which regulates the composition, organization, and functioning of the Gaming Commission of La Rioja. The regulation is published in the Official Gazette of La Rioja no. 180, of September 18, 2026, within section I of General Provisions, and enters into force the day following its publication, that is, September 19.

The Gaming Commission of La Rioja is established as a collegiate body with consultative, study, coordination, and advisory functions for activities related to gaming and betting. The decree develops the mandate of article 22 of Law 3/2022, of March 29, regulating gaming and betting in La Rioja and the prevention of problematic and pathological gambling, which entrusted the Governing Council with establishing the composition, organization, and functioning of the body.

The text was approved upon the proposal of Councilor Alfonso Domínguez Simón, head of the Department of Finance, Public Governance, Digital Society, and Government Spokesperson, after hearing from the Consultative Council of La Rioja. The regulation bears the signature of President Gonzalo Capellán de Miguel and the councilor himself, and is based on the exclusive regional competence over casinos, games, and betting under article 8.Uno.10 of the Statute of Autonomy.

A plural composition with ten sectoral memberships

The decree seeks to guarantee a balanced representation that reconciles the defense of consumers, minors, and vulnerable people with the activity of companies in the sector. The Commission is attached to the Department competent in gaming and betting matters, which will provide the necessary means.

Along with the Presidency, held by the head of that department, and the Vice-Presidency, exercised by whoever directs the body with competencies in gaming and betting, the regulation details the memberships:

• Ex officio memberships of the Autonomous Community: social services, education, minors, public health, youth, and taxes.
• One representative of the Youth Council of La Rioja.
• One representative of associations or entities dedicated to the rehabilitation of people with gambling disorders.
• One representative of associations of manufacturers and developers of gaming machines.
• One representative from each of the business associations for bingo halls, gaming salons, recreational machines, and betting in La Rioja.
• Two representatives of the most representative trade union organizations in La Rioja, on behalf of the sector’s workers.
• One representative of consumer and user associations with a presence in La Rioja.
• One representative of the Riojan Federation of Municipalities.

The Secretariat shall be held by an official from the General Directorate competent in games and gambling, with a voice but no vote.

Four-year mandates and semi-annual meetings

The positions of Presidency, Vice-Presidency, and ex-officio memberships have an indefinite duration, subject to the termination of the position that justifies the appointment. The remaining memberships are appointed and dismissed by resolution of the head of the competent Department, upon proposal by the entities they represent, with re-electable four-year mandates and rotating appointments if several associations from the same sector concur.

No member shall receive any remuneration, allowance, or supplement for their participation. The Commission shall meet ordinarily at least twice a year and, on an extraordinary basis, at the initiative of the Presidency or one-third of its members, within a maximum period of fifteen business days. The notice shall be sent five business days in advance, reducible to 48 hours in urgent cases, and agreements shall be adopted by a majority of those present, with a casting vote by the Presidency in the event of a tie.

One month to propose representatives

The first additional provision sets a period of one month, from the day following its entry into force, for each entity or association with representation to submit to the Department the proposal for the person who will represent them. For matters not provided for, the regime for collegiate bodies of Law 40/2015, of October 1, shall apply, and substitutions shall be governed by Law 4/2005, of June 1.

The decree provides a stable structure for a body that until now lacked its own regulation and brings gaming operators and groups working in the prevention of problem gambling to the same table. The one-month deadline starts the countdown for associations, unions, and social entities to designate their representatives so that the Commission can be constituted.

Source: Official Gazette of La Rioja, no. 180, of September 18, 2026, section I. General Provisions, pp. 16115-16117 (official reference: 202609150124485).