Spain has launched a new review of its online gambling model after the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and Agenda 2030, led by Pablo Bustinduy, opened a public consultation on May 14, 2026 to amend the Law 13/2011 on Gambling Regulation, the core legal framework governing online betting, poker, casino gaming and digital licenses in the country. The consultation period will remain open until June 22, 2026, aiming to modernize a 15-year-old law for a market now dominated by digital advertising, influencers, affiliate marketing, welcome bonuses, mobile acquisition strategies and early detection of problematic gambling behavior.
The central issue goes far beyond technical adjustments. Spain wants to strengthen controls over how online gambling is promoted and how minors and vulnerable players are protected. The consultation will evaluate restrictions on betting advertisements, the use of celebrities and content creators, welcome bonuses, organic search engine marketing, cross-promotions, social media campaigns and responsible gambling mechanisms. Authorities will also review behavioral monitoring systems, early-warning tools, player risk profiling and deposit-control measures.
The main regulatory authority overseeing the process is the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ), led by Mikel Arana, which operates under the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and Agenda 2030. The DGOJ supervises licensing, inspections, sanctions, advertising compliance, online operators, responsible gambling measures, illegal platform blocking and overall market enforcement. Spain’s current framework is based on Law 13/2011, the Royal Decree 958/2020 regulating gambling advertising and the Royal Decree 176/2023, which introduced safer gambling measures, risk-detection systems and enhanced consumer protection requirements.
Operators, trade associations, citizens, academic experts, sports clubs, digital platforms, consumer protection groups and public health organizations will be allowed to participate in the consultation. Submissions must be delivered within the official government period before June 22, 2026, as a preliminary step toward a broader legislative reform.
Spain remains one of Europe’s most important regulated gambling markets, with annual online gross gaming revenue estimated between EUR 1.4 billion and EUR 1.5 billion, driven mainly by online casino gaming, slots and mobile sports betting. The next phase will center on balancing channelization, consumer protection, legal market competitiveness and tighter digital advertising controls within one of the strictest gambling regulatory frameworks in the European Union.
