The operator allegedly leveraged its influence to secure favorable policies, as well as tax advantages, according to previous reports.
Codere, a Spanish gambling giant, is under scrutiny. An investigation has linked the company to an alleged lobbying scheme reaching Spain’s highest political circles. Codere paid substantial sums to Equipo Económico, a consultancy firm, founded by previous Finance Minister Cristóbal Montoro. This was an attempt to promote favorable legislation and tax policies. The claim comes from a report by the regional police force of Catalonia.
The investigation is part of a wider judicial inquiry. The report suggests Codere’s financial support wasn’t an isolated case. Instead, it was part of a systematic effort to gain a competitive edge during key years when Spain was shaping its online gambling regulations. Police documents obtained by Spanish news agency EFE reveal that Codere paid Equipo Económico nearly €680,000 (about $796,000) between 2008 and 2012.
Coincidentally, these transactions reportedly coincided with the creation and passage of Gambling Law of Spain. Codere had long argued that foreign-based internet operators enjoyed an unfair tax advantage in the Spanish market. The company pushed for legislation to address this imbalance. At the same time, Codere and key figures in the Finance Ministry were accused of undermining competition in the gambling sector as the government began issuing licenses.
Former Justice Minister Rafael Català was also implicated by the report in the scandal. Catalá served as secretary and director at Codere between 2005 and 2011. He allegedly maintained ties with the company even after entering public office. Remarkably, he returned to Codere in 2019 as a global advisor on institutional relations. This came just one year after he left his government position.
Catalá was Codere’s secretary and director from 2005 to 2011. He allegedly kept ties with the company even after taking public office. In a notable move, he rejoined Codere in 2019 as a global advisor on institutional relations. This happened only a year after leaving his government role.
