Last July, the autonomous Spanish region of Andorra awarded a casino license to Jocs SA, a company based in the region. The decision to give the license to Jocs caused a stir in the casino industry, with many operators complaining that it resulted in nothing more than an under-the-table deal between government officials and the company.
The group asserts that they have were able to comply with all operational and resource-based requirements as established by Andorra’s Gaming Control Board (CRAJ). They further claim that Jocs was not able to comply with all of the requirements.
The operators further assert that the principality’s reputation faces “demands of damages and prejudices which will be both economic and reputational for the principality.”
After the CRAJ awarded the license to Jocs, the other contenders almost immediately announced their disapproval with the decision and submitted formal requests with the government in August seeking relief. The government had three months to respond, but no progress has been made.
The CRAJ acknowledged late last year that it would review the tender process, but the companies have grown impatient over the delays and now seek legal relief to make their collective voices heard.
Source: GMB / Calvin Ayre
