Ethics in the Communication of Public Gambling in Spain: The Case of SELAE and ONCE

Abstract

The study examines, from the perspective of communication ethics, the differential treatment granted by Spanish regulation to public gambling communications, specifically those of the State Society of Lotteries and Betting (SELAE) and the National Organisation of Spanish Blind People (ONCE). In the additional provisions of the law, a more lenient regime is justified on the basis of these institutions’ identity and tradition. The research analyses the consistency of these legal exemptions with the principles of transparency, accountability and truthfulness set out in the codes of conduct. Through a critical review of the legislation, a survey of the existing literature, and semi-structured interviews with industry professionals and academics, the study identifies the justifications provided by the law and the potential ethical inconsistencies they entail. It offers a qualitative perspective on how the privileges afforded to public entities in their communications legislation may come into conflict with advertising ethics standards, particularly regarding the protection of vulnerable groups. Finally, it discusses the regulatory implications and concludes that the principal controversy lies not in the validity of the legal exemption, but in the absence of a coherent deontological framework to support it, which may pose an ethical dilemma for communication practitioners.