Spanish Operators Raise Concerns Over Gambling Reform Ahead Of Gaming In Spain Conference

Spain’s regulated online gambling sector is raising concerns over further regulatory changes being pursued by the government, as the industry prepares for the 2026 Gaming in Spain Conference in Madrid.

Measures under consideration or implementation include cross-operator deposit limits and a central problem gambling detection system overseen by the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ).

The Spanish government is also considering amendments to Law 13/2011 on gambling regulation, with the process potentially covering areas including player protection, advertising and commercial activity.

Jdigital Responds To Proposed Gambling Reforms

Industry association Jdigital has called for any wider reform of Spain’s gambling legislation to be based on an assessment of measures already introduced and to consider the competitiveness of the regulated market alongside player protection.

In a recent statement addressing the reform process, Jdigital said:

“In the final phase of the current legislative session, and with no expectation that a reform of this magnitude can complete the legislative process and become law, the work carried out in the coming months must necessarily be viewed with a horizon that extends beyond the current legislative term.”

The association has established working groups covering the competitiveness of the regulated market, player protection and responsible gambling, and advertising, commercialisation and the development of the digital ecosystem.

Operators Consider Response To Deposit Limits

During a recent Gaming in Spain webinar, Xavi Munoz, managing partner at ECIJA Barcelona, said Spanish-licensed operators were unhappy with elements of the proposed reforms.

According to Munoz, operators are also considering potential court proceedings concerning the implementation of cross-operator deposit limits by the DGOJ.

Jdigital has separately raised concerns about the deposit-limit system, arguing that restrictions on the regulated sector could risk directing some players towards unlicensed operators.

Regulatory Reform Set For Gaming In Spain Conference

Regulatory reform and the industry’s response will be among the topics discussed at the 2026 Gaming in Spain Conference, which will take place on 15 October at the Auditorio ECIJA in Madrid.

Mikel Arana, director general of the DGOJ, and Jorge Hinojosa, director general of Jdigital, are scheduled to participate, bringing regulatory and industry perspectives to discussions about the future of Spain’s regulated online gambling market.

The conference agenda will also cover the unregulated gambling market, anti-money laundering and fraud prevention, alongside new products and technologies.

Registration for the 2026 Gaming in Spain Conference is now open.