Spain’s private gaming trade association CeJuego called for the consumer minister to resign, alleging that data on fines against gaming operators had been used tendentiously. CeJuego represents private operators of limited-prize gaming machines, gaming halls and bingo venues.
The dispute concerns how enforcement data about Spanish gaming operators is presented by the government.
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Participants at the first CeJuego forum in Madrid called for the stalled reform of Spain's gambling law to be revived in the next legislative term. The forum heard that the 19 autonomous communities and cities have asked the DGOJ to clarify the division of competences, with the regions defending their powers over land-based gambling.
Participants at the first CeJuego forum in Madrid called for Spain's gambling law to be updated urgently and for reform to be revived in the next legislative term, after the process was halted by the calling of elections, according to the sector organisation CeJuego. The forum brought together representatives of regional administrations, experts on problem gambling, trade unions and professionals from the hospitality sector and the gambling industry.
Reportedly, the first CeJuego forum called for the next legislative term to resume reform of Spain's gambling law to strengthen the fight against clandestine gambling. Participants also urged evidence-based regulation and collaboration between public administrations and industry. CeJuego director general Alejandro Landaluce called clandestine gambling the "true common enemy".
The first CeJuego forum, held in Madrid on 15 October, brought together representatives of regional administrations, trade unions, specialists in problem gambling and industry professionals to discuss the sector's main regulatory and social challenges. Participants called for the next legislative term to resume reform of Spain's gambling law to improve the fight against clandestine gambling and to move towards evidence-based regulation, according to an account of the event.
Cejuego said Spanish authorities’ action against Kalshi and Polymarket was welcome and called for the platforms to face the same requirements as authorised operators. Its director general, Alejandro Landaluce, said the group had asked the DGOJ to intervene; Cejuego also criticised paid creator collaborations and said prediction markets fall outside Spain’s authorised gambling model.
Cejuego director general Alejandro Landaluce said prediction markets should not be treated as authorised gambling in Spain and should meet the requirements imposed on licensed operators. His comments followed the DGOJ’s provisional blocking of Kalshi and Polymarket websites while it pursues sanctioning proceedings over alleged unlicensed activity.
Melilla’s director general of technological innovation, Jesús Martínez, called for gambling regulation based on technical criteria, data and oversight. He said public authorities should ensure legal certainty, supervision, controls and protection for vulnerable groups while maintaining institutional neutrality towards legal and regulated gambling.