Spain’s gambling sector faces a period of regulatory adjustment as authorities prepare a new round of compliance measures intended to strengthen consumer protection. Officials have signalled that licensees should expect changes affecting operational oversight, advertising practices and player protection systems during 2026.
Andrés Barragán, Secretary General for Consumer Affairs and Gambling, outlined these plans while addressing a conference focused on gambling harm prevention and coordination between Spanish agencies. Authorities believe current structures leave gaps in monitoring gambling risks, prompting efforts to centralise responsibility and introduce updated safeguards.
“We have a serious public health problem with online gambling in Spain,” Barragán said. “That is why we must continue reinforcing regulation to reduce the harms. The current system is not sufficiently balanced to protect those most at risk.”
Planned regulatory adjustments for safer gambling
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs intends to take direct responsibility for supervising safer gambling tools and public engagement. Officials argue that stronger coordination between regulators and clearer oversight mechanisms will improve protection standards across the market.
Spain previously approved a Royal Decree on Safer Gambling Environments in March 2023. Several technical elements linked to that decree remain unresolved, and authorities have yet to provide operators with precise implementation schedules. Barragán acknowledged industry uncertainty while maintaining that reforms remain necessary.
“The Royal Decree marked an important step forward, but it is not the end of the process,” he stated. “We need stronger tools, better coordination and more effective mechanisms to detect and prevent problematic behaviours.”
Authorities confirmed three main regulatory initiatives currently under development. One proposal introduces cross-operator betting limits designed to prevent customers from avoiding restrictions by opening multiple accounts with different licensed operators. This approach implies expanded data-sharing responsibilities and a more centralised monitoring framework.
“Limits must be real limits,” Barragán said. “It cannot be possible to evade safeguards by moving from one operator to another. If protection is to be effective, it must apply across the entire system.”
Advertising standards and monitoring reforms
New advertising requirements form another part of the planned reforms. Future marketing campaigns would include information about operator profitability and concentration of risk rather than focusing solely on individual player responsibility.
“For too long, the narrative has focused exclusively on the responsibility of the player,” Barragán added. “But operators design the environments, segment advertising towards certain profiles and concentrate almost all the benefits. Regulation must reflect that reality.”
A redesigned early-detection system also remains under consideration. Public health specialists developed this framework to replace existing operator-led monitoring processes. Authorities expect new reporting requirements and updated risk-assessment criteria if the system moves forward.
“We want detection systems built on public health criteria, not purely commercial parameters,” Barragán explained. “Prevention must be structural, embedded in how platforms operate, not an afterthought.”
Market balance concerns and youth participation data
Officials continue to express concern about spending concentration within the Spanish gambling market. Regulators believe a relatively small group of high-spending customers accounts for a significant share of industry revenue.
“A small number of players bear a large share of the heavy losses. If we are serious about reducing harm, we must address that concentration,” Barragán said.
Policy discussions have also intensified following recent youth survey findings. The ESTUDES 2025 study reported higher participation rates among Spanish adolescents aged 14 to 18 across both online and land-based gambling products compared with earlier survey cycles. Authorities cite these figures as additional justification for stronger preventive measures.
Officials have reiterated that centralised oversight, enhanced monitoring systems and revised advertising standards aim to create a more consistent regulatory framework. Implementation timelines remain under discussion as authorities continue reviewing technical requirements linked to these reforms.
Source:
Spain Gambling Secretary vows to deliver Decree orders, sbcnews.co.uk, February 20, 2026.
