The new PGOU of San Agustín de Guadalix imposes 200 m distance and time limits on gaming venues
The municipal plan sets the 200 m buffer and empowers the town council to restrict opening hours
Key Takeaways
- The PGOU of San Agustín de Guadalix requires gaming venues to be situated more than 200 metres from specified public facilities.
- The 200-metre restriction appears in article 175.10 and distance is measured on a plan from the midpoint of the main access façade.
- Operators must prepare a responsible gambling measures plan and comply with noise limits, including bans on sonic advertising and external loudspeakers.
- The Ayuntamiento de San Agustín del Guadalix is empowered by the PGOU to regulate and limit opening hours for gaming establishments.
The General Urban Development Plan (PGOU) of San Agustín de Guadalix introduced on 30 October 2026 specific conditions for the opening of gaming and betting establishments in the municipality. The text requires those venues to be located more than 200 metros from certain public facilities, and empowers the Ayuntamiento de San Agustín del Guadalix to regulate and limit their opening hours.
Distances and measurement under the plan
The PGOU's Urban Regulations record the obligation to respect the 200-metre distance in the section identified as article 175.10. The restriction applies to amusement arcades, betting shops, bingo halls and casinos in relation to educational and cultural centres; health and social care centres; sports facilities and youth leisure venues; municipal institutional buildings; and plots designated for public facilities, even if not yet built. Measurement must be carried out on a plan taking the midpoint of the site's main access façade as the reference point.
Operational obligations and mitigation measures
The plan requires the preparation of a responsible gambling measures plan to mitigate potential harmful effects arising from the activity. The PGOU also establishes limits related to noise pollution: sonic advertising and the external use of loudspeakers that may cause disturbance or affect wildlife are prohibited.
Land-use classes and zonal restrictions
The document classifies land uses: commercial activities, hospitality and meeting centres are considered admissible in various residential, tertiary and industrial zones, although industrial zones contain restrictions for facilities intended for gatherings, shows and nocturnal leisure. Public-use (dotacional) zones prohibit private commercial or profit-making uses, except when they are accessory or complementary to a public service.
The PGOU thus creates a conditional framework for the establishment of gaming businesses in San Agustín de Guadalix, with particular attention to location relative to sensitive facilities, the prevention of addictive behaviours and the control of operating conditions. This summary was drafted by Miguel Sandoval, Corresponsal de regulación.
Frequently Asked Questions
What distance does the PGOU impose between gaming venues and sensitive facilities?
The PGOU imposes a minimum distance of 200 metres. The obligation is set out in article 175.10 and applies with respect to educational and cultural centres; health and social care centres; sports and youth leisure facilities; municipal institutional buildings; and plots designated for public facilities.
How is the distance between the venue and the facility measured according to the PGOU?
Distance is measured on a plan using the midpoint of the venue's main access façade as the reference. This measurement technique is established in the PGOU's Urban Regulations.
What mitigation obligations does the PGOU impose on gaming operators?
The PGOU requires the preparation of a responsible gambling measures plan to mitigate potential harmful effects. It also imposes noise-related limits, including prohibitions on sonic advertising and on external loudspeaker use that may cause disturbance.
Can the town council restrict the opening hours of gaming venues?
Yes. The PGOU empowers the Ayuntamiento de San Agustín del Guadalix to regulate and limit the opening hours of gaming and betting establishments under municipal rules.
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About the author
Miguel Sandoval
Regulatory Affairs Correspondent
Miguel Sandoval tracks gambling legislation, licensing, and regulator enforcement — from Spain's DGOJ and the Latin American authorities to the UKGC, the MGA, and the state-by-state map in North America. The reports answer three questions precisely — what changed, where, and who it affects — with jurisdictions, dates, and penalties cited exactly as published. Operators and compliance officers read Miguel Sandoval to know which rulebook moved before their next meeting.
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