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The Spanish gambling regulator, the General Directorate on Gambling Affairs (DGOJ), has released a draft resolution — now under public consultation — introducing a standardized system for monitoring risk gambling behaviors.
This move reflects Spain’s strong commitment to building a safer online gambling ecosystem where responsible gaming is a central priority. Below is an article from my DLA Piper’s Spanish gambling law colleague, Elisa Lorenzo.
Protecting players through Spain gambling regulation
The DGOJ has long emphasized that the protection of Spanish players lies at the heart of its regulatory mission. Preventing addiction, reducing harmful gambling practices, and safeguarding vulnerable participants are key objectives of Spain gambling regulation.
The new risk mechanism seeks to establish uniform detection standards across all licensed online gambling operators. Up to now, each operator applied its own protocols, leading to uneven protection levels and inconsistent thresholds for identifying problematic gambling. The DGOJ’s initiative aims to eliminate this disparity and strengthen consumer protection nationwide.
Risk detection and responsible gaming
The Spanish draft resolution introduces a model designed to detect early signs of problematic behavior. The DGOJ will provide the baseline detection model, which operators must implement once approved. This ensures that every online gambling company applies the same criteria to flag risky behaviors.
The behaviors monitored include:
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Excessive spending or losses during a defined period
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Extended or uninterrupted gambling sessions
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High frequency of gaming activity over days or weeks
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Patterns signaling possible loss of control or addiction
By standardizing these criteria, the DGOJ promotes responsible gaming practices and allows timely interventions before risk gambling escalates into addiction.
How operators must deal with risky gambling behavior
When a player is flagged as a “risk player,” licensed operators will be required to apply the protective measures outlined in Royal Decree 176/2023. These measures include:
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Informing the player of their risk classification
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Limiting or restricting access to promotions
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Reducing exposure to personalized advertising or commercial communications
This approach creates a uniform framework for dealing with at-risk players, ensuring that all participants in Spain’s online gambling market receive the same level of protection.
Legal certainty and enforcement benefits
The new risk detection mechanism also provides greater legal certainty in judicial proceedings. In the past, operators suspending or closing accounts for risky behavior had to defend their actions based on internal policies, which courts could interpret differently.
Once aligned with the DGOJ’s risk mechanism, operators will have a regulatory foundation for their decisions, reinforcing trust in enforcement actions and reducing disputes.
Public consultation and industry engagement
The Draft Resolution is open to consultation until 25 September 2025, allowing gambling operators and other stakeholders to submit feedback. This process reflects Spain’s collaborative regulatory approach, combining public health objectives with industry expertise.
The DGOJ is encouraging operators to contribute, helping to refine the mechanism so it remains both technically feasible and socially responsible.
Toward safer online gambling in Spain
This initiative signals a major step forward for Spain in addressing the challenge of risk gambling. By mandating a standardized detection system, the DGOJ is moving from reactive enforcement toward proactive prevention, strengthening consumer protection and trust in the gambling sector.
If you need legal support or advice on any issues related to gambling laws 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.