DGOJ Participates in the Meeting of European Regulators in Halle to Strengthen the Fight Against Illegal Gambling

The Directorate General for Gambling Regulation (DGOJ), under the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and Agenda 2030, participated in the meeting of European Regulators held in Halle (Germany), a meeting aimed at sharing regulatory advances and supervisory experiences, as well as strengthening cooperation between authorities in the face of the challenges posed by the gambling market.

Representing the DGOJ were Eugenio Álvarez, Deputy Director General for Gambling Regulation, and Cecilia Pástor, Deputy Director General for Gambling Inspection. The agenda focused on collaborative tools to combat illegal gambling, the development of prediction markets, and the effectiveness of measures to block unauthorized websites and applications.

Information sharing to combat illegal gambling

One of the main issues addressed was the proposal to create a joint portal for sharing up-to-date information on websites and applications identified as illegal. The initiative, presented by the UK, aims to facilitate data exchange between regulatory authorities and improve coordination of actions against operators offering services without the required authorization.

The meeting also dedicated a specific session to IP address blocking, in which experiences, results and difficulties in implementing these measures were shared. The discussion allowed for an analysis of the technical and operational challenges involved in preventing access to unauthorized platforms, as well as the possibilities for strengthening the effectiveness of these actions through greater international cooperation.

Prediction markets, among the new regulatory challenges

Prediction markets occupied another working group session, with participants sharing their current situation in the various jurisdictions. This exchange allowed them to address the challenges posed by these platforms and the need to analyze their activity in accordance with the applicable regulatory framework in each country.

Analysis of the regulation of commercial communications

The DGOJ (Directorate General for Gambling Regulation) has presented the main results of its impact analysis of Royal Decree 958/2020, of November 3, on commercial communications for gambling activities. The session provided an opportunity to share the conclusions of the evaluation and the regulatory lessons learned from the application of this legislation.

The meeting also included sessions on money laundering prevention, public communication and awareness, as well as a sharing of the main regulatory developments of the participating jurisdictions during the second half of 2026.

The DGOJ’s participation in this meeting reflects its commitment to cooperation among European regulatory authorities and the strengthening of supervisory tools. The exchange of information and experiences is essential to improving the response to the illegal gambling market, addressing the new challenges of the digital environment, and moving towards a safer online gambling environment.