A recent summit brought together gambling industry stakeholders from across Europe, underscoring Spain’s growing role in shaping regulatory policy and helping regulators keep pace with rapid sector developments.
Spain Showcases Policy Ambitions
Spain hosted the International Gaming Congress, using the event to highlight its regulatory priorities and influence among EU counterparts. Senior officials, operators, academics, and international experts gathered to discuss the industry’s responsibilities and the balance between consumer protection and market sustainability.
Lawmakers Address Emerging Challenges
Opening the congress, Pablo Bustinduy, Minister of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs, and the 2030 Agenda, emphasized that protecting minors and preventing early exposure to gambling products remain top priorities. He stressed the need to foster an environment where gaming can coexist with public health safeguards.
Andrés Barragán, Secretary General of Consumer Affairs and Gaming, outlined newly approved consumer protection measures, including:
- A ban on welcome bonuses for new players
- A requirement that all online gaming payments must be made via a bank card registered to the account holder
Academic Contributions
The congress also featured research presentations on gambling behavior, harm-prevention strategies, and social impacts. The format encouraged collaboration between academics and industry stakeholders, aiming to build dialogue rather than confrontation. These findings are expected to guide future policy by balancing consumer safety with economic viability.
Cross-Border Cooperation
Spain’s regulatory leadership was further reinforced during a November 12 meeting hosted by the Directorate General for Gambling Regulation (DGOJ). Regulators from Germany, France, Austria, the UK, Italy, Spain, and Portugal agreed to strengthen cooperation against illegal online gambling.
Key concerns included:
- Unlicensed operators circumventing local restrictions and exploiting consumers
- The rise of illegal advertising across social media, video platforms, and affiliate networks, blurring the line between licensed and illicit operators
The regulators committed to:
- Sharing intelligence on illegal operators
- Filing joint complaints with digital platforms to remove illicit ads
- Exchanging best practices for detection and enforcement
A voluntary regulatory framework for regulators and operators, endorsed by national standardisation bodies, is expected to be published in early 2026.
