The online casino market in Spain continues to grow, and with it, the state’s responsibility for player safety increases. In 2024 alone, the number of active iGaming users increased by 21.6% and exceeded 2 million.
To prevent harm to the audience, the country’s gambling regulator DGOJ decided to take a serious step. The authority plans to create a unified system for the early detection of customer problem behaviour.
New Approach to Security Issues
The goal of the introduced tool is to help operators identify punters who may be at risk. That is, if a user loses control, sharply increases bets, or starts playing too often, the mechanism should signal danger.
The DGOJ’s system will work the same way for all licensees. This strategy allows the following:
- Control standardisation. Regardless of where a client gambles, their behaviour will be evaluated according to the same criteria.
- Prevention of switching between portals. Clients will not be able to simply change platforms to avoid monitoring, as the algorithms will spread over the entire industry.
- Provision of fairness and equity. The set of rules and requirements is identical for all niche brands. Certified projects will get a competitive edge over illicit websites.
The development of the mechanism will take about 2 years. It is part of the regulator’s long-term plan called the «Safe Gambling Program 2026−2030.»
Key Trigger for Innovations
Spain recently cracked down hard on illegal online casinos. The authorised body imposed fines of around €77.4 million on 14 suspicious operators.
Now, the emphasis is shifting: the main goal is to protect players even in licensed venues. Meanwhile, local punters are increasingly switching to shadow businesses that accept cryptocurrency.
When choosing a portal with virtual tokens, these users seek the following:
- Fewer restrictions. Such web resources do not impose the deposit limits that legal brands have.
- Diverse bonuses. Grey companies may offer more attractive promotions and special propositions.
- Anonymity. Cryptocurrency allows people to play without revealing their identity, which appeals to those who want to maintain privacy.
The gambling audience in the country continues to grow rapidly. According to the DGOJ’s 2024 full-year report, the number of active players in the industry reached over 1.99 million, a 21,63% YoY jump. Such a dynamic surge increases the government’s responsibility for protecting these people from harm related to real-money content.
Initiative Implementation: Further Steps
The new system is currently in the public discussion stage. Everyone, from operators to average users, can leave their suggestions. The deadline is September 25th, 2025.
The regulator wants to make the mechanism as effective as possible and consider the opinions of both investors and punters. Over time, responsible gaming will become not a recommendation, but an obligation for all online casinos in the state.
Niche Experiences of Other Countries
The Spanish authorities monitor and explore the successful practices of other European nations. For instance, KSA, the regulator of the gambling business in the Netherlands, has already identified 5 key risk markers.
Their pool includes:
- loss of control;
- intensity of play;
- increase in wagers;
- operators' behaviour;
- content characteristics.
These findings show that harm from gaming is often associated not with stable, large bets, but with fluctuations in player habits. The new mechanism should consider such insights to be as effective as possible.
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