The Spanish regulator imposes severe fines to illegal gambling operators

Since the Spanish online gambling market was firstly regulated in 2011, one of the main goals of the Spanish online gambling regulator (DGOJ) has been the fight against illegal operators. The approved regulatory framework aims to ensure that players funds are well protected and participation on licensed gams offers a secure gambling environment. However, and despite the DGOJ efforts on pursuing illegal operators, it is still possible to find operators without a license offering activities in Spain which poses a serious risk to players.

Following the above commitment, the DGOJ has launched several sanctioning procedures against gambling platforms operating in Spain in 2024. Penalty fines have reached EUR77.4M. The type of sanctions imposed are not only addressed to illegal operators. The DGOJ also dedicates significant efforts to supervise that licensed operators offer their activities in compliance with the applicable regulations.

Unlicensed operators

The DGOJ has put the spotlight on non-authorized online gambling platforms operating in Spain and has blocked (and banned from operating in the Spanish market for two years) fourteen illegal operators for operating without a license in Spain. It has also imposed sanctions to those operators amounting EUR75. 

These sanctioning resolutions include 14 fines against foreign operators for very serious violations of the Spanish gambling Act, as those operators were offering illegal gambling activities without the corresponding license. Thirteen of these companies were fined EUR5 million each. One of them received a EUR10 million fine, for repeat offenses. In addition to the financial penalties, the affected websites were ordered to close and were banned.

Sanctions for licensed companies

Further to the above, the DGOJ has imposed 11 other fines for serious violations against operators licensed in Spain who have failed to comply with aspects regulated by the Spanish Gambling Act. In total, these fines amount to EUR2,4M. While no information has been disclosed on the type of infringements committed by licensed operators, in most of the cases these are referred to technical aspects (lack of compliance with a technical requirement imposed on the regulations), or the offering of activities which are not strictly aligned with the regulations (e.g. games which do not fully comply with the applicable provisions).

 

The size of the Spanish online gaming market, which generated a GGR of EUR1,454 million, representing growth of 17.61% compared to the previous year makes particularly relevant that the regulator dedicates its efforts to protect the players. In 2024, the number of new active players on these types of platforms has also increased by 21.71%, meaning that the market in Spain is in continuous progress.

 The investigations launched by the regulator during last year are part of the strategic approach of the DGOJ to fight against the illegal gambling practices and to ensure the protection of players. The DGOJ has a significant commitment to ensure consumer protection and compliance with the legal framework for gambling. This is particularly relevant where fighting against unauthorized operators who jeopardize the safety of players. The sanctioning resolutions are available in the DGOJ's website.

Read more about Gambling legal issues across the globe in our updated Gambling Laws of the World Guide.