Patricia Lalanda, a partner at Loyra Abogados, said strict harm-detection rules and player deposit limits could lead some users in Spain to unlicensed gambling sites. She called for enforcement against illegal operators and better user awareness alongside regulation.
The warning raises the possibility that tighter controls could redirect some gambling activity away from licensed operators.
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Spain's DGOJ is preparing cross-operator deposit limits and a central problem-gambling detection algorithm, measures that will feature in the Gaming in Spain Conference in Madrid on 15 October, according to the report. The government also intends to amend the gambling act and introduce further marketing restrictions; Jdigital has said it will not cooperate with the government and regulator until after the next parliamentary elections.
Spain’s DGOJ is preparing cross-operator deposit limits and a centralised algorithm to identify potentially problematic gambling, according to the report. Jdigital has questioned whether the proposed legislative changes can pass before the current parliamentary term ends, while licensed operators are reportedly considering legal action over the deposit limits.
Spanish-licensed operators are reportedly considering court action to stop the DGOJ implementing cross-operator deposit limits. Jdigital said it would withhold cooperation with the government and regulator until after the 2027 parliamentary elections, while further gambling law and marketing changes are planned.
Spain's government approved a Royal Decree this week introducing a deposit limit system for betting companies and their customers. The measure forms part of wider political oversight of the Spanish betting sector, the outlet reported.
Spain’s Council of Ministers approved a Royal Decree establishing combined online gambling deposit limits per person. The default caps are €700 a day, €1,750 a week and €3,300 for each four-week period, and the DGOJ will manage a system to check deposits across authorised operators.