for early access to the latest igaming videos!
and get the latest igaming news first!
Spain has approved a new Royal Decree that sets joint deposit limits across all online gambling operators.
The measure, passed by the Council of Ministers on Tuesday (June 23), was proposed by Pablo Bustinduy, Minister of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and Agenda 2030.
The rule is designed to create a safer environment for players by ensuring that deposits made across different platforms are counted together under one global limit. Previously, each operator set its own independent cap, which allowed players with multiple accounts to exceed intended limits.
The new system closes that gap and places responsibility on the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ), which will oversee compliance through a real‑time monitoring tool.
How the new limits work
Under the decree, default limits are set at €700 per day, €1,750 per week, and €3,300 over four weeks. These caps apply to every player, regardless of how many accounts they hold. Players can request changes to their personal limits through a formal process, but the system requires clear warnings about the risks of gambling before any adjustment is approved.
The DGOJ will manage the technology that tracks deposits across all operators, ensuring that data is coordinated without unnecessary sharing between companies.
The measure is particularly aimed at the 31% of Spanish online gamblers who use more than one operator. Bustinduy emphasized that the reform aligns with the broader goals of Agenda 2030, which seeks to transform the economy and reduce inequality.
Industry warns against new joint limits, cites black market risks
Spain’s move follows similar steps taken elsewhere in Europe. Germany already enforces cross‑provider deposit limits, though its cap is far stricter at €1,000 per month.
However, the royal decree has faced pushback from industry stakeholders. Jdigital pointed to data from DGOJ showing that about 80% of Spanish online players use only one operator.
In its recent statement, the group argued that the measure targets a small portion of the market and risks creating serious issues. One concern is that joint limits could push activity toward the largest operators, reducing competition and leaving smaller firms at a disadvantage.
Calls for realistic timelines and leniency in the early stages
Jdigital also raised technical and operational issues. It noted that building a centralised system capable of tracking deposits across all licensed operators in real time would be complex and costly.
The association warned that the burden of implementation would fall heavily on both regulators and companies, and stressed that early technical problems should not result in sanctions against operators.
The trade body urged authorities to set a realistic timetable for rollout and to provide evidence that the measure is necessary and proportionate.
It also pointed to recent developments in the Netherlands, where stricter player protection rules and high gambling taxes have coincided with a decline in channlization, meaning more players are turning to unlicensed sites.
An EY report commissioned by Jdigital was also cited, showing that roughly one in four Spanish players already access the illegal market. The association argued that tighter restrictions could worsen this trend.
Despite its criticism, Jdigital said it remains open to working with public institutions to design “effective, proportionate” solutions that safeguard players while keeping the market competitive and secure.
