Madrid, October 18, 2026. Starting October 28, Spain will require online casino and sports betting operators to verify that the holders of credit cards, bank accounts, and other payment methods used for deposits and withdrawals match the registered holders of gambling accounts. The reform will prevent players from withdrawing winnings until identity verification has been completed.
Royal Decree 813/2026, approved on October 7 and published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) on October 8, amends Article 21 of Royal Decree 304/2014, which implements Law 10/2010 on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing.
Pablo Bustinduy
Previously registered players will have six months, until April 2027, to regularize their payment methods. During this transitional period, they may continue depositing funds and placing bets but will not be permitted to withdraw winnings pending verification. Once the deadline expires, operators must unilaterally terminate non-compliant gambling contracts, report the cancellations to the Directorate General for Gambling Regulation (DGOJ), and return outstanding balances, including withheld winnings, while complying with anti-money laundering requirements.
Pedro Manuel Comín Rodríguez
The decree, signed by Carlos Cuerpo Caballero, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Trade and Business, requires operators to update their technological systems, identity verification procedures, and financial traceability controls.
Mikel Arana Etxezarreta
The DGOJ, headed by Mikel Arana Etxezarreta, operates under the ministry led by Pablo Bustinduy. Meanwhile, Pedro Manuel Comín Rodríguez heads Sepblac, Spain's financial intelligence and anti-money laundering authority. The reform also establishes a ten-year document retention requirement, a nine-month deadline for certain regulated entities to appoint representatives, and 18 months to implement specific electronic identification provisions.
The Spanish government is partially incorporating EU Directive 2024/1640 and strengthening controls related to international financial sanctions. Separately, the DGOJ is conducting a consultation on common tools to detect risky gambling behavior, particularly among younger users. This initiative remains separate from the new payment verification requirements.
