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Spain is preparing to introduce some of its most ambitious gambling reforms to date, with new deposit limits and an AI-led monitoring system forming the backbone of its plan.
The proposals come from the Directorate General of the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ) and were first launched in 2023. Although still pending final approval, the roadmap is now becoming clearer. The DGOJ wants to place stronger safeguards around gambling activity while also developing tools to detect early signs of harm.
The project is being closely watched by the industry, as it would change how operators interact with players in fundamental ways.
A single system for player limits
Spain wants to centralise control of how much money players can deposit across all licensed operators.
Currently, each operator is responsible for managing its own deposit limits. The new model would shift this to a centralised system run by the regulator, ensuring that limits are consistent across the market.
The proposed thresholds are:
- €600 per day
- €1,500 per week
- €3,000 per month
Players will still be able to reduce their limits or remove them entirely. However, new safeguards will apply. Any change will take three days before becoming active, and players will only be able to adjust their limits once every three months.
The regulator believes this will reduce impulsive behaviour and give players more time to reflect before increasing their spending capacity.
AI to detect problem gambling
Spain plans to be the first European regulator to use artificial intelligence for live monitoring of gambling behaviour.
Alongside financial limits, the DGOJ is working on a new AI-powered algorithm designed to track player behaviour in real time. The tool will analyse “live variable indicators” of gambling risks, allowing earlier interventions when players show warning signs.
The project is being developed under the Royal Decree of gambling environments. According to DGOJ Director General Mikel Arana, the algorithm should be completed by March 2026 and will then be mandatory for all licensed operators. See more about Spain’s Online Gambling Market Hits €410.3 Million in Q2 Revenue for current market size context.
If successful, the initiative would place Spain at the forefront of responsible gambling innovation in Europe, setting an example for other regulators considering similar technology.
Industry response: protection vs competitiveness
Operators support safer gambling but warn about the risks of over-regulation.
At the Gaming in Spain conference in June, industry representatives voiced concerns about how the reforms could affect the competitiveness of the regulated market.
Jorge Hinojosa, Director General of Jdigital, said that while player protection is important, the reforms have not been matched by policies to make the market more attractive. He argued that regulators and operators should work together to introduce new gambling products, such as live casino, to ensure that players remain engaged with licensed offerings.
Esther Martin-Ortega, Head of Public Affairs and Sustainability at Flutter, added that strict measures could unintentionally drive players toward unlicensed alternatives. She pointed to the growing role of social media influencers in promoting gambling content, often outside regulated frameworks.
“There are influencers on gaming, and they always find a way of putting the advertising in front of you, and then they get the visibility they need.”
“We have a generation of smartphone natives who check what’s going on on social media. Access for a consumer to the black market is much broader than ever.”
Risks of the black market
The reforms underline Spain’s challenge of keeping players inside the regulated system.
The government’s aim is clear: strengthen protection and ensure safer play. But industry voices warn that if restrictions are too tight, players could drift to unlicensed sites where there are no safeguards at all.
The rise of influencers and the broad reach of social media are seen as particular risks. Young people, who often consume content through these channels, may be especially exposed to advertising that promotes unregulated platforms.
What comes next
The next year and a half will be crucial for Spain’s gambling reforms.
The centralised deposit limit system still requires final approval before it can be put into place. Meanwhile, the AI-based algorithm is on track for completion by March 2026. Once ready, all licensed operators in Spain will be required to integrate the tool into their platforms.
The outcome of these reforms could reshape Spain’s gambling market for years to come. If successful, they may boost trust in the regulated sector and reduce gambling-related harm. But the balance between regulation and market competitiveness remains fragile, and the industry will be watching closely to see how players respond once the measures are in force.
For operators, the question is this: how can you prepare to meet Spain’s new player protection standards while keeping the regulated market attractive enough to compete with the black market?
Source: iGaming Expert
