Among the main topics that were discussed at this third meeting were: the study of the specific legal rules of gaming; quality control in on-line gaming, the technology currently used in games of chance and the prospects for the future. Finally there was a round table discussion with several legislators from the Mediterranean Riviera who analysed the new challenges posed by Internet gaming. Also attending were representatives of the major companies in the business sector such as Gigames, Cirsa, R. Franco, and MGA together with representatives from the main professional associations such as Andemar, Anesar and Aedapi. The latter representing the betting companies operating on Spanish soil. All agreed on the need to create a legal framework for Internet gaming but, this being an issue that extends beyond the powers of one Autonomous Region alone, the delegates agreed that this can only be handled by the Spanish State. Until this happens, this type of game will have an "illegal status" that interests nobody.

For its part, the EiG Congress & Expo held its seventh event in Barcelona with three days of conferences on various topics and more than 1,500 people attending the exhibition. In the closing conference, representatives of Clarion Gaming (the organising company), St. Minver (software developer for On-line Bingo) and other companies in the sector, gave their feedback on the last three days. Since the current economic environment is not the healthiest, the speakers stressed the importance of placing a higher percentage of resources into the marketing area in order to support corporate strategies that facilitate player loyalty. As regards the legal issues surrounding the gaming industry, the point was raised that it would be interesting to join forces to fight for the rights of the industry, since this is currently being done in a disorganised and piecemeal manner.

The CAP (Casino Affiliate Programs) also took place in Barcelona. This is a show where members, brand names and companies associated with the world of on-line gaming and betting gather together, holding conferences and other informative events. The CAP organisers planned to hold a poker tournament, the ASOP (Affiliate Series of Poker) at a hotel in the city, which was due to begin yesterday. It was a "free roll" for members where those entering would play for a cash prize. However, the police forced them to suspend the competition. The legal problem, argued the authorities, is that it is forbidden to hold such tournaments, where money is involved, outside the casinos. It is a contradiction that poker tournaments and programmes proliferate on television (without the State taking legal action), giving it a growing media attention and yet, however, one is not allowed to play freely in events organised for occasions such as a trade fair like the CAP.

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