As of May 15, 2025, Spain continues to strengthen its gambling sector regulations, with the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ) leading efforts to combat illegal gambling and enhance player protections.
This comprehensive approach involves blocking unlicensed operators, imposing significant fines, and implementing robust safeguards for consumers. Spain’s model is gaining attention across Europe, reflecting its balance of enforcement and consumer-focused policies. This report provides a detailed analysis of Spain’s gambling regulatory landscape, recent actions, and their implications.
Spain’s gambling sector operates under one of Europe’s most stringent regulatory frameworks, overseen by the DGOJ, part of the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs, and Agenda 2030. The DGOJ maintains a register of gambling websites to identify and suppress unlicensed operations, using verification procedures triggered by complaints or investigations (Gambling Laws 2025). In recent months, the DGOJ has blocked 14 illegal gambling operators, reinforcing its commitment to a legal market (Esports Insider).
This enforcement is part of a coordinated strategy involving law enforcement, regional regulators, and the ‘Policía del juego,’ specialized police units tasked with monitoring and shutting down illegal betting shops and online platforms. Their objectives include preventing fraud, money laundering, and other risks associated with unregulated gambling. In November 2024, the DGOJ issued fines totaling approximately €65.4 million to 15 operators, with 13 unlicensed operators each fined €5 million for “very serious” breaches (iGaming Business). These operators were also banned from the Spanish market for two years.
A separate action in early 2025 saw the DGOJ impose €77.4 million in fines on another 14 unlicensed operators, with 13 receiving €5 million fines and one facing a €10 million penalty for more severe violations (Gambling Insider). These operators, including companies like Adonio and Magicwin Games Tech, were barred from the Spanish market for two years, highlighting the DGOJ’s ongoing efforts to curb illegal activity.
Player protection is a cornerstone of Spain’s gambling policy. Recent regulations, such as Royal Decree 176/2023, mandate operators to implement safeguards for vulnerable groups, particularly young adults and those exhibiting risky gambling behaviors (Gambling Laws 2025). Operators must:
- Alert players to risky gambling patterns.
- Restrict credit card use for gambling transactions.
- Exclude at-risk individuals from promotions and VIP programs.
Additionally, operators are required to submit monthly activity reports and provide access to mandatory assistance hotlines, increasing their responsibility to ensure safe gambling practices. A forthcoming mechanism for detecting risky behaviors, expected in Q1/Q2 2025, will further standardize these protections across all operators.
Spain’s regulatory framework is evolving to address emerging challenges, such as advanced gaming technologies, match-fixing, and blockchain-based gambling. The DGOJ is investing in staff training, technological upgrades, and international cooperation to combat cybercrime and ensure compliance. A draft Royal Decree amending Decree 1614/2011, currently under review, aims to introduce joint deposit limits across licensed operators, enhancing consumer protections (Chambers and Partners).
The Supreme Court’s ruling 527/2024, which voided certain commercial communication regulations, and the new Data Model set to take effect on March 22, 2025, reflect Spain’s proactive approach to updating its regulatory landscape (Chambers and Partners).
Spain’s regulatory model has attracted interest from Italy, France, and Germany, which are exploring similar frameworks that emphasize collaboration between regulators, financial institutions, and law enforcement. The DGOJ’s ability to impose substantial fines and block illegal operators while prioritizing player safety positions Spain as a leader in European gambling regulation.
Read also: Germany’s Gambling Revenue Stalls at €2.49 Billion in 2024
Spain’s gambling market is thriving, with online gambling gross gaming revenue reaching €1.45 billion in 2024, driven by a 270% growth in sports betting since 2014 and the rise of mobile and esports betting (The Lit Bitch). The 2018 reduction of Gross Gaming Revenue taxation to 20% has further enhanced market attractiveness. However, the growth of the legal market underscores the need to shield it from illegal operators, prompting the DGOJ’s stringent measures.
The DGOJ’s aggressive enforcement has sparked debate. While supporters argue that strict regulations protect consumers and maintain market integrity, critics suggest that heavy fines and restrictions may push players toward unregulated markets, similar to concerns in Germany (Esports Insider). Balancing enforcement with market competitiveness remains a key challenge, with ongoing discussions about refining regulations to prevent revenue leakage.
Looking ahead, Spain’s gambling sector is poised for continued growth, provided the DGOJ can maintain its balance of enforcement and innovation. The anticipated joint deposit limit system and risky behavior detection mechanism will likely strengthen player protections. However, the DGOJ must address criticisms regarding regulatory burdens to ensure the legal market remains attractive to operators and players alike.
Summary Table: Key Regulatory Actions and Metrics
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Illegal Operators Blocked | 14 operators disabled in recent months (2025) |
| Fines Issued (H1 2024) | €65.4 million, 13 operators fined €5 million each, 2-year ban |
| Fines Issued (Early 2025) | €77.4 million, 13 operators fined €5 million, 1 fined €10 million, 2-year ban |
| Player Protection Measures | Alerts for risky behavior, credit card limits, exclusion from promotions |
| Upcoming Regulations | Joint deposit limits, risky behavior detection mechanism (Q1/Q2 2025) |
| Market Revenue (2024) | €1.45 billion gross gaming revenue |
This analysis highlights Spain’s proactive stance on gambling regulation, positioning it as a model for balancing consumer protection with market growth as of May 15, 2025. Spain illegal gambling
