Spanish operators signal pushback as DGOJ prepares new gambling restrictions

Spanish licensed online gambling operators are signalling stronger resistance to a new round of regulatory measures being prepared by the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ), with opposition expected to feature heavily at the Gaming in Spain Conference on October 15, 2026, in Madrid.

According to the organisers, measures in development include cross-operator deposit limits and a new central, DGOJ-mandated problem gambling detection algorithm. Longer term, the government intends to amend Spain’s gambling act, including “significant new marketing restrictions,” the press release said.

Trade body Jdigital has also publicly pushed back. In a recent statement, it indicated it would not cooperate with the government and regulator until at least after next year’s parliamentary elections: “In the final phase of the current legislative session, and with no expectation that a reform of this magnitude can complete the legislative process and become law, the work carried out in the coming months must necessarily be viewed with a horizon that extends beyond the current legislative term.”

Separately, during a recent Gaming in Spain webinar, gaming lawyer Xavi Munoz, Managing Partner at ECIJA Barcelona, said Spanish-licensed operators are “clearly unhappy” with the proposed reforms and are considering court proceedings to stop the DGOJ from implementing cross-operator deposit limits.

The October conference agenda is expected to focus on regulatory reform and industry reaction. The event is due to include appearances from Mikel Arana, Director General of the DGOJ, and Jorge Hinojosa, Director General of Jdigital, alongside sessions on black market risk, AML and fraud prevention, and product and technology topics, according to the organisers.