A new operation conducted by Europol in collaboration with the Swedish and Spanish police targeted a criminal group involved in money laundering and illegal gambling, with 5...
Spain steps up as leader in European gambling regulation
Spain hosted the recent International Gaming Congress, showing influence and decisiveness for policy changes in the EU, where operators, academics, and officials discussed the responsibilities of the gaming industry.
Minister of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs, and the 2030 Agenda, Pablo Bustinduy, talked about how the protection of minors and exposure to gambling is a top priority for Spain, as the ministry aims to create a gaming environment where public health won’t be compromised.
Secretary General of Consumer Affairs and Gaming, Andrés Barragán, spoke on the new measures that target consumer rights. The harsher new laws include total bans on welcome bonuses and regulations on payments, requiring that any payment has to be done through a bank card that is registered to the same person as the account holder.
Academic researchers also had a platform for discussion, where they mostly focused on harm prevention and the consequences of gambling.
The strict gambling regulations were even more enhanced after the November 12, 2025, meeting conducted by the Directorate General for Gambling Regulation, where representatives from Germany, France, Austria, the UK, Italy, Spain, and Portugal decided on improving cross-border cooperation against illegal gambling.
The most central issues discussed were customer exploitation and illegal advertising, after which the regulators agreed on sharing information and filing joint complaints against illegal digital advertising. On this occasion, a regulatory framework for regulators and operators is to be published by early 2026.
Spain’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs has put a total fine of €3.5 million on 26 licensed gambling operators, including Betfair, 888, and Codere.On November 25, 2025, the...
