Spain\u2019s regulated iGaming market is facing another wave of structural reform. 2025 has already brought a mix of failed bills, new pilot programs, and behind-the-scenes pressure to align gambling policy with public health priorities. While some proposals remain politically stalled, the regulatory momentum isn\u2019t slowing.<\/p>\n
Operators are watching three developments closely:<\/strong><\/p>\n A likely return of advertising restrictions<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Cross-platform deposit limits<\/p>\n<\/li>\n A government-backed algorithm to detect gambling harm<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n Each initiative aims to reshape how gambling is promoted, consumed, and managed. Here\u2019s a full breakdown of what\u2019s happening – and what\u2019s coming next.<\/p>\n Spain\u2019s attempt to tighten advertising rules was blocked but will likely return via alternative legislation.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n The DGOJ is developing a centralized system to cap deposits across all licensed operators.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n A behavioral algorithm to detect problem gambling is in pilot testing and will become part of compliance obligations.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n June\u2019s Gaming in Spain Conference will be a key venue for formal announcements and timelines.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Operators should prepare for higher compliance costs, stricter affiliate vetting, and platform-level data integrations.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n In March 2025, Spain nearly passed a set of tighter advertising restrictions as part of a larger public health bill. The bill was narrowly defeated, not because of the gambling provisions themselves, but due to political opposition from several conservative lawmakers.<\/p>\n The original proposals would have:<\/strong><\/p>\n Banned celebrity endorsements<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Restricted gambling ads to certain time slots during live sporting events<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Outlawed marketing that connects gambling with financial success or status<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n While the bill failed, the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ), led by Mikel Arana<\/strong>, has made it clear: these restrictions will return.<\/p>\n Arana has repeatedly argued that Spain\u2019s gambling market is \u201cvery unbalanced,\u201d pointing to how a small portion of high-risk players generate most of the revenue. The DGOJ helped draft the defeated legislation and is expected to push similar rules through other legal pathways.<\/p>\n In 2024, Spain\u2019s Supreme Court overturned a set of advertising rules from 2021, calling them \u201cdisproportionate\u201d to their stated goals. The ruling threw regulators off balance but didn\u2019t eliminate the underlying pressure to rein in gambling promotion.<\/p>\n The current legal strategy appears to focus on aligning future rules with broader consumer protection standards, particularly for digital environments. Rather than an all-out ban, the DGOJ may seek scaled restrictions that specifically target vulnerable demographics, especially minors.<\/p>\n Expect a revised version of the advertising restrictions to emerge in 2025 or early 2026, potentially packaged within a new digital consumer bill.<\/p>\n Right now, Spain enforces mandatory deposit limits on a per-operator basis:<\/p>\n \u20ac600 daily<\/p>\n<\/li>\n \u20ac1,500 weekly<\/p>\n<\/li>\n \u20ac3,000 monthly<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Players can request higher limits, but only after undergoing a responsible gambling assessment by the operator.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s the issue: users can simply spread deposits across multiple accounts and bypass the limits’ intended purpose entirely. The system leaves regulators blind to total market spending.<\/p>\n The DGOJ has proposed a centralized system to fix that loophole. Instead of operator-specific controls, this new setup would track total deposits across all licensed platforms in real time.<\/p>\n Key features under development include:<\/p>\n Market-wide limits:<\/strong> \u20ac600 per day and \u20ac1,500 per week across all accounts<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Central registry<\/strong>: A secure database tracking user deposit activity live<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Platform integration:<\/strong> Real-time alerts and deposit blocking once limits are reached<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n The system would force operators to share player data with the central authority, triggering data privacy concerns from both legal experts and civil society groups. There are ongoing discussions about compliance with GDPR and how to safeguard sensitive information.<\/p>\n Former DGOJ regulator Juan Espinosa<\/strong> warned that while the concept is sound, the implementation could get expensive and messy. Integrating dozens of platforms with different tech stacks, reconciling identity verification systems, and managing failovers in real-time deposit tracking will require substantial investment.<\/p>\n Despite these concerns, most industry players agree the shift is coming. Whether in 2025 or slightly later, Spain is likely to be one of the first jurisdictions to formalize a unified deposit cap model.<\/p>\n Alongside the deposit reforms, the DGOJ is testing a machine-learning algorithm designed to detect early signs of problematic gambling behavior. The tool analyzes data such as:<\/p>\n Number and frequency of deposits<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Session length and volatility<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Betting patterns<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n When a user crosses predetermined risk thresholds, the system flags the account. Operators are then required to intervene\u2014either by contacting the player, reducing limits, or enforcing timeouts.<\/p>\n The detection system will be closely tied to the proposed central deposit registry. This means that behavioral red flags could directly trigger deposit blocks or enhanced due diligence checks.<\/p>\n The pilot program is part of Spain\u2019s 2023 Royal Decree on Safer Gambling<\/strong>, which established a legal mandate for operators to implement proactive risk management tools.<\/p>\n If proven effective, the algorithm may become a condition for licensure renewal, similar to how AML systems are treated in other regulated sectors.<\/p>\n The annual Gaming in Spain Conference, scheduled for June 26 in Madrid, will give operators a first glimpse at the regulatory road ahead.<\/p>\n Mikel Arana<\/strong>, head of the DGOJ, will present updates on:<\/p>\n A revised timeline for advertising restrictions<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Central system rollout specs and testing timelines<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Certification process for the problem gambling algorithm<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Speakers from JDigital and H2 Gambling Capital will also discuss:<\/strong><\/p>\n Potential compliance burdens for small operators<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Cross-border tensions as LatAm expansions intersect with EU-based rules<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Balancing innovation in NFTs and esports with duty-of-care obligations<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n With many of these changes likely to affect product timelines, licensing costs, and CRM strategies, operators are expected to attend in record numbers.<\/p>\n In early 2025, Arana urged licensed operators to terminate relationships with affiliates that promote both regulated and unregulated brands.<\/p>\n Spain is not alone in this push. Regulators across the EU have begun cracking down on \u201cdual-market affiliates\u201d that muddy the legal waters by advertising illegal offshore platforms alongside legitimate ones.<\/p>\n Several compliance watchdogs have published guidance suggesting that affiliate partners should undergo KYC-style vetting themselves.<\/p>\n Despite strong domestic regulation, offshore operators accounted for an estimated 12 percent<\/strong> of Spain\u2019s iGaming revenue in 2024.<\/p>\n Critics worry that overly strict deposit or advertising rules might push more players toward unlicensed platforms. The DGOJ counters that clearer marketing rules and improved user protections will boost trust in the legal market.<\/p>\n Still, enforcement remains a work in progress. Unlike in the UK, Spain does not yet have a unified affiliate licensing structure, which makes policing harder.<\/p>\n 2025 marks a turning point in how Spain regulates digital gambling. Rather than reacting to harm after it occurs, the DGOJ is pushing for systems that predict, prevent, and intervene in risky behavior before it escalates.<\/p>\n Operators must prepare for:<\/strong><\/p>\n Market-wide deposit monitoring and enforcement<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Renewed restrictions on advertising formats and messaging<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Mandatory behavioral risk detection tools<\/p>\n<\/li>\n More pressure on affiliate compliance and offshore filtering<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n The timeline may be uncertain, but the direction is not. Spain is becoming a regulatory model for jurisdictions that balance innovation and responsibility. Whether the system will work as intended depends on execution, cooperation, and political will. Until then, joining a well-established crypto casino<\/a> could be your best bet, as the regulations are more relaxed.<\/p>\n References<\/span><\/p>\n 2025 Gaming in Spain Conference Overview<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Spain Passes New Gambling Law<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Mikel Arana Confirmed as Keynote Speaker<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n DGOJ Chief Urges Affiliate Scrutiny<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Casinonewsdaily Conference Preview<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Ad Restrictions Rejected in Parliament<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n
Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n
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Reintroduction of Advertising Restrictions<\/h2>\n
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Legal Roadblocks<\/h3>\n
Cross-Operator Deposit Limits<\/h2>\n
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Centralized Limit System in the Works<\/h3>\n
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Industry Hesitations<\/h3>\n
Problem Gambling Detection Algorithm<\/h2>\n
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Integration Plans<\/h3>\n
June 2025: Regulatory Announcements Coming at Gaming in Spain Conference<\/h2>\n
Confirmed Agenda Highlights<\/h3>\n
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Affiliate Regulation and Black Market Concerns<\/h2>\n
Offshore Market Still a Threat<\/h3>\n
Conclusion: Spain\u2019s Regulatory Strategy Is Shifting from Passive to Proactive<\/h2>\n
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