The PSOE of Tinajo has presented a new extension of the formal complaint to the Diputación del Común of the Canary Islands for events that occurred in January 2026 which, in the opinion of the Socialist Group, significantly worsen the misuse of institutional resources of the Tinajo City Council and constitute a clear violation of the principle of institutional neutrality and state and regional regulations on gambling.
Socialist councilwoman Begoña Hernández denounces that the mayor, Jesús Machín, has not only used official City Hall channels to disseminate information related to a private prize obtained in the El Niño Lottery draw, but has also personally proceeded to purchase tickets for La Primitiva and Euromillions, establishing a weekly gambling dynamic that, as has been publicly disseminated, would be funded by the lottery prize itself
These new facts have motivated an additional expansion of the complaint, as the PSOE of Tinajo considers that gambling is being normalized and promoted repeatedly from a public institution, using its image, its official channels, and municipal resources to cover a strictly personal initiative of the mayor.
According to the Socialist Group, the mayor has even proposed the weekly dissemination of these bets through the City Council's institutional media, effectively turning the municipal corporation into a kind of "lottery club," which they describe as shameful, inappropriate, and unacceptable for a public administration.
“We are facing an absolutely shameful situation. A City Council **cannot and should not promote gambling,** either directly or indirectly, and much less do so on the personal initiative of its mayor using public channels,” Hernández stated.
The councilwoman recalls that current legislation expressly prohibits the advertising and promotion of gambling activities by public administrations, especially when the image of public officials or institutional media is used, due to the risk it poses to the prevention of gambling addiction and social protection, principles that must guide the actions of any administration"Citizen consultations cannot be used to legitimize personal decisions nor to normalize practices that are clearly outside the municipal scope of competence and expressly limited by law," he added
For all these reasons, the Socialist Group requests in the extension of the complaint that the Diputación del Común urge the immediate cessation of this type of publications, surveys, and promotions, and that the facts be forwarded to the competent bodies in charge of gambling so that the possible legal responsibilities arising from this conduct can be determined.
The PSOE of Tinajo warns that it will continue to expand the necessary legal actions if the improper and personal use of municipal public resources persists.
