The audit, control, and security of Spain’s online gambling sector face operational risk after the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ), headed by Mikel Arana, acknowledged in official documents an insufficiency of technical resources and launched an emergency tender worth approximately €7.9 million, ahead of the current contract’s expiration on May 4, 2026.
According to the procurement file No. 252910PA0001, with an estimated value of €7,972,953.45, the regulator justifies outsourcing under legal grounds, citing its lack of internal capacity to sustain its critical digital infrastructure. The process covers the hosting, operation, and maintenance of the central system that supports key functions such as player verification, operator supervision, and management of the General Register of Gambling Access Bans (RGIAJ).
The use of an emergency procedure—despite a foreseeable contract expiration—adds pressure to the transition process. Official reports warn of potential service disruptions, which could impact real-time traceability, compromise self-excluded player protections, and lead to financial claims for loss of earnings from operators.
Beyond the technical dimension, the case reveals a structural vulnerability: the State’s ability to audit, control, and ensure the security of online gambling currently depends on the continuity of a contract under transition, in a market where continuous digital oversight is essential for stability and trust.
