Key Moments:
- Spain has initiated a public consultation on amending its Remote Gambling Act, with new measures under consideration.
- The government has approved cross-operator deposit limits, commencing a test phase on September 25 and aiming for full adoption by March 25, 2027.
- The 2026 Gaming in Spain Conference in October will focus on major regulatory changes, including the new deposit limits and emerging product categories.
Regulatory Overhaul on the Horizon
A recent Gaming in Spain webinar convened industry leaders and legal experts to dissect the significant regulatory and commercial changes taking shape across the country’s online gambling landscape. The panel included Xavi Munoz Bellvehí and Camille Gonzálvez of ECIJA, along with H2 Gambling Capital’s COO Josh Hodgson, who provided strategic context surrounding these developments.
Planned Legislative Amendments
Spain’s gambling authority, the DGOJ, has launched a public consultation process targeting updates to the Remote Gambling Act. Proposed amendments would bolster player identification measures to curb income tax evasion and introduce a dedicated B2B software supplier registry as part of efforts to address illegal gambling. Further advertising restrictions are also being discussed, echoing the Spanish government’s focus on tightening marketing standards for licensed operators. All proposed measures remain subject to the passage of primary legislation.
Deposit Limits Set to Reshape the Market
The Spanish government recently authorized a new framework that imposes cross-operator deposit limits on gamblers. A six-month pilot is expected to commence on September 25, ahead of a full market rollout scheduled for March 25, 2027.
H2 Gambling Capital projects that this measure could reduce annual onshore player expenditures by €300 million. Additionally, the consultancy estimates that market channelization could decline from 76% currently to 74% in 2027, with a further stabilization at approximately 71% projected from 2028 onward.
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Start of Deposit Limits Pilot | September 25 |
| Full Implementation of Deposit Limits | March 25, 2027 |
| Gaming in Spain Conference | October 15, 2026 |
Examining Prediction Betting Under Existing Regulations
During the webinar, participants analyzed the regulatory fit of prediction betting products. While the DGOJ has taken recent enforcement actions against Polymarket and Kalshi, it was noted that Spain’s current framework might still allow certain forms of prediction betting.
Camille Gonzálvez of ECIJA emphasized, “current regulations already permit betting on sporting events where players bet against each other while the operator acts only as an intermediary.” According to discussants, this could allow sports or horse racing-focused prediction markets to function within the legal ecosystem. The session also pointed out that while prediction betting is rapidly expanding, its challenge to traditional sports betting operators may be overstated due to differences in how transaction volumes are recorded.
Upcoming Industry Conference Set for Madrid
Stakeholders will have the opportunity to explore these regulatory and product innovations in greater depth at the 2026 Gaming in Spain Conference, to be hosted in Madrid on Tuesday, October 15. The event will feature analysis of updated regulations – including the DGOJ’s emerging problem gambling detection algorithm and developments around cross-operator deposit limits – as well as the integration of new gambling products such as prediction betting and sweepstakes within the current legislative context.
Key Speakers Lined Up for the 2026 Conference
Mikel Arana, Director General of the DGOJ, will headline the speaker lineup. Other confirmed participants include:
- Xavi Munoz Bellvehí, Managing Partner, ECIJA Barcelona
- Jorge Hinojosa, Director General, Jdigital
- Pedro López Martín-Andino, Managing Partner, MartínAndino Abogados
- Patricia Lalanda, Partner, Loyra Abogados
- Camille Gonzálvez, TMT & iGaming Lawyer, ECIJA
- Christian Heins, Founder, European Gambling Gathering
- Mauro De Fabritiis, Founder, MDF Partners
- Dmitry Belianin, Managing Partner, Blask
- Rasmus Kjaergaard, CEO, Mindway AI
- Author
Daniel Williams
