The Madrid event will bring together representatives from the DGOJ, operators, suppliers, legal experts and industry stakeholders to examine the key challenges facing Spain’s regulated market.
The Gaming in Spain Conference 2026 has unveiled its agenda for this year’s edition, taking place on Thursday, October 15 at the ECIJA Auditorium in Madrid, with the programme focusing on regulatory developments and the main challenges facing Spain’s online gambling sector.
Key topics will include the implementation of cross-operator deposit limits, the Spanish Gambling Authority’s new central problem gambling detection algorithm, future regulatory reform and the growing challenge posed by offshore operators.
The conference will also address fraud prevention and AML, as well as the regulatory outlook for emerging products and formats, including prediction betting and sweepstakes.
Regulation and player protection
The opening block will focus on regulatory developments, featuring a keynote from Mikel Arana, Director General of the DGOJ, followed by a regulatory update from Xavi Munoz Bellvehí, Managing Partner at ECIJA Barcelona.
One of the central discussions will examine the implementation of cross-operator deposit limits, with Justo Sancho, Director of Safe Gambling at the DGOJ, and Sander Hoogendoorn, Senior Consultant at Chevron Group, joining a session moderated by Camille Gonzálvez, TMT & iGaming Lawyer at ECIJA.
The agenda will also include a session on Melilla and regulated gambling in Spain, presented by Patricia Lalanda, Partner at LOYRA Abogados.
Another block will examine the Spanish market and the threat of the black market. Josh Hodgson, COO of H2 Gambling Capital, will provide market data, while Dmitry Belianin, Co-Founder of Blask Business Intelligence, will compare game popularity across onshore and offshore offerings.
Discussions will also cover illegal gambling advertising and the role of Big Tech, alongside a session comparing the player experience in regulated environments with crypto-based alternatives.
Algorithms, fraud and AML
Player protection will receive dedicated attention through a session on problem gambling detection algorithms, featuring Pedro Romero, Chief of Safer Gambling Partnerships at BetBlocker, and Paula Murphy, Head of Commercial at Mindway AI.
The industry’s perspective on sustainable gambling reform will be presented by Jorge Hinojosa, Director General of Jdigital.
On compliance, David Calvete Sarasa, Chief Inspector at the National Police, will address fraud prevention in regulated gambling. The practical impact of the EU’s new AML/CFT regulation will be discussed by Pedro López Martín-Andino, Managing Partner at MartínAndino Abogados, and Jochen Biewer, Managing Director at Chevron Group.
New products, technology and LatAm
The programme will also explore technology and emerging gambling formats. Sessions include a presentation on an AI-powered live casino for the Spanish market, led by Gustaf Hagman and Jonas Delin, Co-Founders of Avanti Studios.
Other sessions will examine emerging gambling and betting formats, AI and affiliate marketing, and compliant payment solutions for Spain’s regulated market.
The conference will also feature an update on promising LatAm markets, with the speaker still to be confirmed.
Bringing the industry together
Gaming in Spain founder Willem van Oort highlighted the participation of stakeholders from across Spain’s regulated gambling ecosystem, including regulators, operators, suppliers and the National Police.
He said the event aims to facilitate discussions that can contribute to the long-term sustainability of regulated gambling, particularly as licensed operators face increasing competition from illegal and offshore offerings.
The conference will also feature breakout sessions, including one focused on promotions in Spain, led by Mario Chamorro, Partner at MDF Partners.
Registration for Gaming in Spain Conference 2026 is now open.
Ahead of the conference, Gaming in Spain will also host a free webinar on Tuesday, September 15 at 15:30 CET, covering cross-operator deposit limits, the DGOJ’s problem gambling detection algorithm, emerging betting products and Spanish player interest in offshore prediction betting.
