Key Moments:
- Spain is preparing to introduce prominent and factual warning messages on all online gambling platforms.
- The proposed reforms include new advertising bans, mandatory AI-based monitoring, and national deposit limits.
- EGBA has reported that a draft for European-wide gambling harm markers has received approval from CEN.
Major Regulatory Overhaul Targets Spanish Gambling Industry
The Spanish government is ushering in a transformative era for the nation’s online gambling sector. Following a model inspired by tobacco product warnings, the country will soon require online gambling platforms to display prominent real-world risk messages, moving away from the previous use of general advice such as “play responsibly.”
Direct Warnings Replace Milder Slogans
Speaking at a Safe Gaming event, Pablo Bustinduy, Spain’s Minister of Social Rights, Consumption and the 2030 Agenda, described a notable policy shift: direct warnings like “Gambling addiction is a risk of gambling,” “The probability of being a losing gambler is 75%,” and “Losses for all gamblers are four times greater than their winnings,” will become standard across banners, login screens, apps, and digital advertisements. Bustinduy emphasized that player wellbeing is a collective responsibility, extending beyond the individual to regulatory and governmental bodies.
Building on Previous Legislation and New Technological Tools
This initiative follows Royal Decree 958/2020, which already restricted gambling advertising and team sponsorships. Officials determined that previous campaigns, focused on responsible play, failed to sufficiently confront gambling-related risks. The government is now intent on leveraging hard statistics and direct communication to prevent harm before play begins.
Planned Reforms: Advertising, Deposit Caps, and AI Monitoring
The new warning label requirement represents just one component of Spain’s ongoing gambling reform:
- The proposed Customer Service Law under discussion in Congress is designed to reintroduce bans on welcome bonuses and forbid celebrity endorsements in gambling promotion.
- The gambling regulator, DGOJ, is preparing a centralized system to restrict player deposits across all platforms, establishing fixed maximums of €600 per day, €1,500 per week, and €3,000 per month.
- Mandatory adoption of AI-driven systems to identify potentially risky behaviors in real time is being considered, taking into account factors such as play speed, session duration, and spending changes.
This regulatory momentum has been spurred by a notable rise in online activity: after welcome bonuses were reinstated in 2024, Spain recorded a 21% uptick in players and a 23% increase in active accounts within a single year.
| Reform Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Warning Labels | Prominent risk messages on all gambling interfaces |
| Advertising Limits | Bans on welcome bonuses and celebrity endorsements |
| Deposit Caps | €600/day, €1,500/week, €3,000/month, nationwide |
| AI Monitoring | Real-time system to detect problematic gambling behavior |
European Context and Growing Standardization
Alongside Spain’s national reforms, developments at the European level are underway. The European Gaming & Betting Association (EGBA) has disclosed that the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) has approved a draft set of standardized behavioral harm markers, such as changes in play speed or session duration, as early indicators of harmful gambling tendencies. According to Maarten Haijer, EGBA’s Secretary General, this milestone illustrates the results of joint effort among regulators, operators, academics, and harm-prevention specialists. The standard awaits finalization and, once complete, will offer a unified reference for EU members in combating gambling harm.
Implications for the Industry and Players
Online gambling operators in Spain will need to upgrade their platforms, ensuring that risk warnings are integrated at every consumer touchpoint and that deposit limits are enforced across multiple accounts. Operators must also prepare to deploy sophisticated AI solutions to monitor player activities.
For users, these measures will shape a gaming environment that is more transparent and regulated. Players will encounter upfront disclosures on gambling risks, be subject to fixed deposit ceilings, and have their behavior monitored for signs of developing issues.
Setting a New Benchmark for Online Gambling Regulation
Spain’s comprehensive approach, blending regulatory rigor with advanced technology and direct messaging, stands to influence online gambling policy across Europe. The reforms aim not only to restrict potentially dangerous play but to keep all participants regularly informed of risks and protected by enforceable safeguards.
By seeking a balance between access and protection, Spain is establishing a new standard in responsible gambling oversight and may serve as a reference point for other countries confronted by similar regulatory challenges.
- Author
Daniel Williams
