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Spain’s government reports 2.01% problem-gambling symptoms among players

Regulation

Spain’s government cited the DGOJ’s 2022–2023 prevalence study in its response to parliamentary questions, reporting that 2.01% of players showed some symptoms of problem gambling in the previous 12 months. It said the rate was 11.57% for online gambling and 1.77% for in-person gambling; the figure for lottery players was 0.60%, rising to 8.15% among people who combined lotteries with other games. The government also said there is no dedicated state budget for treatment, which falls under regional responsibility.

The figures distinguish reported problem-gambling symptoms by channel and product, while treatment funding remains a regional responsibility.

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Regulation

Spain requires online gambling operators to verify payment methods

Spain requires online gambling operators to verify payment methods used for deposits and withdrawals from 28 October 2026 under Royal Decree 813/2026. Existing customers have six months to verify or replace linked payment methods; winnings cannot be withdrawn until the operator confirms that the payment method and account have the same holder. The Consumer Affairs Ministry said the measure aims to make identity fraud harder and reported 8,675 related complaints in 2025, up 12% year on year.

Spanish online gambling operators must check the payment methods that players use for deposits and withdrawals. The requirement comes from Real Decreto 813/2026, a royal decree set on 7 October that appeared in the Spanish official gazette one day afterwards. According to the source, the decree took effect twenty days after it was published.

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