DGOJ says unlicensed prediction markets cannot operate legally in Spain
Regulation1 min read
Spain’s DGOJ director general Mikel Arana addressed prediction markets at MERGE Madrid 2026 on 2 November. He said platforms offering products classed as gambling under Spanish law need a licence, and unauthorised services of that kind cannot operate legally in Spain; measures are taken to block access to affected platforms.
Spain's gambling regulator, the DGOJ, took part in MERGE Madrid 2026, an international event on cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology and Web3, according to a DGOJ notice dated 2 November 2026. Mikel Arana, the DGOJ's director general, said that unlicensed prediction markets that qualify as gambling cannot legally offer their services in Spain.
Arana spoke in a panel discussion titled "Visiones regulatorias sobre los Prediction Markets". He explained that platforms offering products that constitute gambling under Spanish law must hold the corresponding licence to operate in Spain. He added that measures are being taken to prevent access from Spain to the affected platforms.
The discussion addressed the need to determine the legal framework that applies to prediction markets, taking into account the characteristics of the products and the rules in force in each jurisdiction. The DGOJ said its participation allowed it to present the Spanish regulatory perspective in an international debate. The DGOJ said its work continues to focus on ensuring that operators carrying out gambling activities in Spain meet the legal requirements.