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The DGOJ issued significant Spanish gambling sanctions totaling €77.4 million in 2024, targeting both illegal operators and licensed companies failing to comply with regulatory standards.
Since the Spanish gambling market was first regulated in 2011, the Spanish online gambling regulator (the “DGOJ”) has prioritized the fight against illegal operators. The regulatory framework established aims to protect players’ funds and ensure that participation in licensed gambling platforms provides a secure environment.
Despite continuous efforts by the DGOJ, illegal gambling operators continue to operate within Spain, posing serious risks to players. In 2024, the DGOJ intensified its enforcement activities, issuing multiple Spanish gambling sanctions totaling €77.4 million.
Below is an article on the topic from my Spanish gambling law colleague Elisa Lorenzo.
Actions Against Unlicensed Operators
The DGOJ focused significant resources on identifying and penalizing unauthorized online gambling platforms. As part of this enforcement action, the regulator blocked and banned fourteen illegal operators from the Spanish gambling market for a period of two years. Additionally, these operators received cumulative financial penalties amounting to €75 million.
The sanctioning actions involved 14 foreign gambling operators found guilty of serious violations of the Spanish Gambling Act for operating without appropriate licenses. Thirteen of these operators were each fined €5 million, while one operator incurred a higher penalty of €10 million due to repeated offenses. Furthermore, these operators were ordered to cease operations and had their websites shut down.
Sanctions for Licensed Gambling Companies
The regulator’s vigilance extended beyond unlicensed entities. In 2024, the DGOJ issued 11 additional Spanish gambling sanctions against operators legally licensed in Spain, totaling €2.4 million. These sanctions addressed serious compliance failures related primarily to technical requirements or offering games not fully compliant with regulatory standards.
While detailed specifics of the infringements committed by licensed gambling operators were not publicly disclosed, common issues included non-adherence to technical compliance measures or providing activities misaligned with regulatory provisions.
Growing Importance of Regulation
The growth of the Spanish gambling market underscores the importance of stringent regulatory oversight. The market generated a Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) of €1.454 billion in 2024, representing a 17.61% increase compared to the previous year. Additionally, the number of new active players on online gambling platforms rose by 21.71%, signaling ongoing market expansion.
These robust market dynamics emphasize the significance of the DGOJ’s commitment to consumer protection. Continuous regulatory vigilance, including strategic investigations and issuing sanctions, reinforces player safety and upholds compliance with the legal framework governing online gambling in Spain.
All sanctioning resolutions issued by the DGOJ are publicly accessible on the regulator’s official website, reflecting transparency and accountability in its regulatory activities.
If you need legal support or advice on any issues related to gambling litigation in Spain, I will be glad to introduce you to my Spanish gambling law colleague Elisa Lorenzo. Also, you can have an outline on the Spanish gambling law regime in DLA Piper’s Gambling Laws of the World Guide available HERE and access further gambling law news HERE.