Spain brings payment ownership checks into force for online gambling

Spain's Royal Decree 813/2026, of 7 October, took effect on 28 October 2026, introducing new identification obligations for online gambling operators under the country's anti-money-laundering and terrorist-financing rules, according to the decree as reported. The main change requires operators to verify that the payment methods used to deposit and withdraw funds belong to the same person registered as the holder of the gaming account. The measure is intended to strengthen the traceability of transactions and prevent the use of third-party payment methods.

The decree sets a six-month transitional period, until 28 April 2027, for players registered before it took effect. During that period those users may continue to deposit with the payment methods they had registered and take part in the operator's games, but they cannot withdraw prizes obtained until the matching of ownership has been verified. Operators have the same period to make the necessary technical changes to their platforms and verification procedures.

If the check has not been completed after the six months, operators must terminate the contract unilaterally and inform the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ). They must also return existing balances, including prizes pending payment, without prejudice to applicable anti-money-laundering obligations.

The source gives no statement from operators or the DGOJ and no appeal status. It says the degree of operator preparedness, possible incidents during implementation and the costs associated with the new control procedures remain unknown.