Spain Reinforces Leadership in European Gambling Regulation with Focus on Consumer Protection and Combating Illicit Activities

Spain Hosts International Gaming Congress, Drives European Regulatory Agenda

Spain has taken a prominent role in shaping European gambling regulation, underscored by its hosting of the first International Gaming Congress in Madrid on November 13-14, 2025. Organized by the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ), the event gathered over 300 gaming professionals, institutional representatives, academics, and experts to discuss the 'Social Impact of Gaming'. Senior officials, including Pablo Bustinduy, Minister of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs, and the 2030 Agenda, and Andrés Barragán, Secretary General of Consumer Affairs and Gaming, emphasized the nation's commitment to consumer protection, particularly for minors.

Discussions at the congress highlighted new regulatory measures, such as a comprehensive ban on welcome bonuses and a requirement for online gambling payments to originate from a bank card registered to the account holder. Academic research focusing on behavioral patterns and harm prevention was also a central theme.

Enhanced Consumer Protection Measures

Spain's regulatory framework, governed by Law 13/2011, is recognized as one of Europe's most sophisticated, with a strong emphasis on player protection. The DGOJ mandates that operators implement robust safeguards for vulnerable groups, including young adults. These measures include alerting players to risky patterns, restricting credit card use, and excluding at-risk individuals from promotional offers. Operators are also required to provide monthly activity reports and mandatory assistance hotlines.

Looking ahead, Spain is preparing to introduce ambitious reforms, including new centralized deposit limits of €600 per day, €1,500 per week, and €3,000 per month across all licensed operators. Furthermore, the DGOJ is developing an AI-led monitoring system, expected to be completed by March 2026, which will track player behavior in real-time to detect and intervene in problem gambling. Operators are explicitly prohibited from offering loans or credit to participants.

Intensified Fight Against Illegal Gambling

Spain is also intensifying its efforts to combat illegal gambling, with the DGOJ actively blocking unlicensed operators. In recent months, fourteen illegal gambling operators have been disabled, a crackdown supported by law enforcement, regional regulators, and the 'Policía del juego'. This proactive approach has resulted in significant financial penalties, with fines exceeding €65 million imposed in November 2024 alone, primarily targeting foreign online operators. In 2024, total penalty fines against illegal platforms reached €77.4 million.

A separate DGOJ meeting held on November 12, 2025, brought together regulators from Germany, France, Austria, the UK, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. This collaboration aims to enhance cross-border cooperation against illegal online gambling and problematic advertising, with plans to publish a voluntary regulatory framework in early 2026. Spain's model of close collaboration between regulators, financial institutions, and law enforcement is being considered for replication by other European nations.