canary islands horse racing tracks law

Canary Islands could get up to seven horse racing tracks

Horse racing tracks approved for the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands could soon have up to seven horse racing tracks, with a maximum of one per island, under a new gambling and betting planning decree approved by the regional Parliament on Thursday. The legislation, drawn up by the Ministry of the Presidency led by Nieves Lady Barreto, was passed with the abstention of the Socialist Party (PSOE), New Canaries (NC-Bc) and Vox.

New possibilities, but no concrete plans yet

The provision opens an unprecedented door for the archipelago, although no firm blueprints have been drawn up. The decree does not specify the size, minimum surface area, track dimensions or construction requirements for these future facilities.

Casino numbers remain unchanged

When it comes to casinos, the decree does not expand the current horizon but maintains it. The Canary Islands will be allowed a maximum of 12 casinos, with the distribution already fixed: three in Tenerife, located in Puerto de la Cruz, Adeje and Santa Cruz de Tenerife; four in Gran Canaria, two in San Bartolomé de Tirajana and two in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; two in Lanzarote, in Tías and Teguise; and three in Fuerteventura, in La Oliva, Pájara and Antigua.

Bingo halls capped at 45 across the islands

Bingo keeps its own island-by-island distribution. The regional maximum will be 45 halls, with an uneven split: 22 in Gran Canaria, 15 in Tenerife, two in Fuerteventura, two in Lanzarote, two in La Palma, one in La Gomera and one in El Hierro.

Gaming arcades and slots see densest regulation

The map becomes denser for gaming and amusement arcades. The project sets a ceiling of 422 across the archipelago. Tenerife and Gran Canaria account for the largest share, with 150 each. They are followed by Lanzarote with 50, Fuerteventura with 45, La Palma with 20, La Gomera with four, and El Hierro with three.

Updated rules for gaming machines

The regulation of gaming and slot machines is also being updated. The text plans for ‘Type A special’ machines, which award cash, goods or points prizes; ‘Type B’ machines, popularly known as fruit machines or one-armed bandits; and ‘Type C’ machines, which are only allowed in casinos and gaming arcades, not in pubs or restaurants. Type B machines are capped at 7,200 in hospitality venues, while Type C machines are limited to 700. Type B machines installed in gaming arcades and bingo halls do not count towards this overall limit, as their number is tied to each venue’s authorisation, capacity and safety conditions.

Greyhound racing and fronton courts left open

The decree also mentions greyhound racing tracks and fronton courts (used for Basque pelota), although in these cases the government has chosen not to set a fixed number. Unlike horse racing tracks, which are capped at seven, greyhound racing tracks and fronton courts will be governed by their own specific regulations, both in terms of number and requirements.

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