Cross-operator deposit limits and a new problem gambling detection algorithm are among the regulatory changes shaping the debate around Spain’s regulated iGaming market.
Spain’s regulated online gambling market is entering another period of regulatory change, with licensed operators expressing concerns over several measures being developed by the government and the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ).
Among the initiatives currently being implemented are cross-operator deposit limits and a new algorithm designed to detect risky gambling behaviour, linked to the DGOJ. In the longer term, the government is also considering amendments to Gambling Act 13/2011, potentially introducing further restrictions on advertising and marketing.
Jdigital calls for a long-term approach to reform
The regulatory debate has also prompted a response from Jdigital, the Spanish association representing the digital gambling sector.
In a statement published on September 21, Jdigital said that the process launched to prepare a draft amendment to Gambling Act 13/2011 provides an opportunity to consider the future of Spain’s regulated market. The association argues that any reform should begin with an assessment of the measures already adopted and their effects on players, operators and channelisation towards the legal market.
Jdigital also stated that, given the lack of expectation that a reform of this scale could complete the parliamentary process during the current legislative term, the work carried out over the coming months should be approached with a perspective extending beyond the current term.
As part of this process, Jdigital announced three working groups focused on the operation and competitiveness of the regulated market; player protection and responsible gambling; and advertising, marketing and the evolution of the digital ecosystem.
Cross-operator deposit limits remain a key industry issue
One of the measures attracting particular attention is the new cross-operator deposit limit system, which establishes a common framework for player deposits across different operators.
Jdigital had already raised concerns in June about the potential impact of the mechanism on the regulated market, according to the association’s public news archive.
Meanwhile, during a recent Gaming in Spain webinar, gambling lawyer Xavi Muñoz, Managing Partner at ECIJA Barcelona, discussed the latest regulatory developments in Spain, including cross-operator deposit limits and the new problem gambling detection mechanism.
According to Gaming in Spain, the industry is also closely monitoring potential legal avenues concerning the implementation of cross-operator deposit limits.
Regulation to take centre stage at Gaming in Spain Conference 2026
The current regulatory environment will be one of the key topics at the 2026 Gaming in Spain Conference, taking place on October 15, 2026, in Madrid.
The event will feature Mikel Arana, Director General of the DGOJ, and Jorge Hinojosa, Director General of Jdigital, alongside other representatives and specialists from Spain’s regulated market. The agenda includes sessions covering regulatory developments, the growing threat of the illegal market, AML and fraud prevention, as well as new technologies and products.
The conference will be held at Auditorium ECIJA, located at Calle Serrano 69 in Madrid, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
With regulatory and industry representatives gathering in Madrid, the event will provide an opportunity to discuss the next stage of Spain’s online gambling regulation and the different perspectives surrounding the changes currently under development.
