Spanish Regions Unite To Defend Authority Over Land-Based Gambling Regulation

Spain's 17 autonomous communities have joined forces to defend their authority over land-based gambling regulation, raising concerns that proposals from the national gambling regulator could interfere with powers currently exercised by regional governments.

The regions have signed a joint document challenging what they consider potential regulatory overreach by the Directorate-General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ). Their principal concern is that national reforms could undermine regional control over gambling venue licensing, operating conditions and retail distribution.

The initiative was revealed during the Luis Escribano Gaming Expo-congress in Torremolinos, Málaga, where representatives discussed the division of regulatory responsibilities between Spain's central government and its autonomous communities.

Regional Authorities Challenge DGOJ Proposals

The joint initiative is being led by Ramón Cubián, the Comunidad de Madrid official responsible for gambling, with contributions from several autonomous communities.

Although the participating regions are governed by different political parties, the document has been presented as an administrative initiative rather than a party-political campaign.

Its purpose is to establish a common position on the responsibilities assigned to regional governments and ensure that future national reforms do not diminish their existing powers.

The disagreement dates back to the Gambling Policy Council in 2025, when the DGOJ proposed assuming a coordinating role in the protection of vulnerable customers within land-based gambling.

The national regulator maintains that its responsibilities under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs require it to promote consistent consumer protection standards across Spain's gambling sector.

Regional authorities, however, are concerned that a coordinating role could develop into direct oversight of matters already assigned to autonomous governments.

The communities are therefore seeking guarantees that they will retain meaningful participation in decisions affecting land-based gambling venues, including licensing requirements and future retail distribution arrangements.

National Regulator Pursues Common Player Protection Standards

The disagreement comes as the DGOJ works with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs on initiatives intended to strengthen gambling-related consumer protections.

Among the proposals is a universal deposit-limit system that would establish a combined daily limit of €600 across licensed online gambling operators.

Rather than allowing customers to deposit up to the permitted amount separately with each operator, the system would apply the limit across participating platforms.

The regulator is also developing a shared algorithm intended to identify potentially harmful gambling behaviour through common assessment criteria.

The proposed framework would require operators to intervene when specified risk indicators are detected, with additional reporting requirements for customers under the age of 21.

These initiatives primarily concern online gambling, but the DGOJ's proposed coordinating responsibilities for land-based customer protection have raised questions about how far its national remit should extend.

The regional authorities are not necessarily challenging the objectives of improved consumer protection. Their concerns centre on which level of government should be responsible for implementing and enforcing measures affecting physical gambling venues.

Communities Call For Recognition Of Regional Differences

Spain's autonomous communities currently exercise significant authority over land-based gambling, with regional regulations governing matters such as venue licensing and operating conditions.

The joint document argues that national policy must recognise differences between individual markets rather than impose uniform arrangements without sufficient regional involvement.

Cubián emphasised that gambling environments vary considerably across Spain, making local circumstances an important consideration when developing regulatory measures.

“Each autonomous community has a different political, economic, social and business environment. The specific circumstances of gambling differ in each community, as do the number of gambling venues and people’s ways of life,” he told Spanish media.

The statement reflects the regions' position that common consumer protection objectives should be pursued without removing their ability to regulate gambling according to local conditions.

The DGOJ, meanwhile, has argued for greater coordination to address inconsistencies in consumer protection across Spain's gambling framework.

The joint document establishes a collective position among all 17 autonomous communities, although no formal resolution to the disagreement has been announced.

Further discussions will determine how national consumer protection initiatives can be implemented while preserving the regulatory responsibilities currently assigned to Spain's regional governments.