Spain’s draft Royal Decree introducing joint (cross-operator) online deposit limits reaches the end of its EU “standstill” period on February 20, 2026, closing the formal observation window under the TRIS notification procedure.
The draft was notified to the European Commission as TRIS 2025/0634/ES and shows a receipt date of 17/10/2025. The document lists the end of the standstill as 20/01/2026, extended to 20/02/2026, reflecting the additional month triggered by a reasoned opinion from Malta.
Substantively, the proposal amends Royal Decree 1614 system per player that applies across all state-licensed online operators where the player holds accounts, while remaining compatible with the current framework. It also updates provisions tied to licence-linked financial guarantees. Malta’s objections, as reported in Spain’s trade press, focus on two areas: (1) requiring operators without a Spanish registered office to appoint a permanent reprentities authorised in Spain, which Malta argues may conflict with EU principles on freedom to provide services and freedom of establishment.
Spain moves toward cross-operator deposit caps, setting €700 daily default
Spain’s regulator (DGOJ) has defended the contested requirements as long-standing and necessary for effective supervision and public-interest protection, while the sector watches for the post-standstill legislative steps.
