The Spanish Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs, and Agenda 2030 has launched a significant grant initiative, offering a total of €950,620 to support research focused on gambling-related harm. This program is managed by the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ) and aims to fund studies that explore the prevention, effects, and risks associated with gambling activities. Announced in the official government bulletin, the Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE), the initiative calls for proposals from a range of research institutions, including universities, health organizations, and non-profit entities with a vested interest in gambling studies. The move underscores the DGOJ’s growing focus on gambling harm as a regulatory priority, particularly concerning young people and the blending of gaming and gambling elements.
In March, the DGOJ introduced its Safe Gambling Programme for 2026-2030, highlighting concerns related to youth exposure to gambling mechanisms, such as loot boxes and social casino products. This initiative seeks to combat the normalization of gambling behaviors among minors and young adults. Additionally, the government stresses the importance of gender-sensitive research, acknowledging that gambling-related harms may vary across different demographic groups, necessitating tailored prevention approaches.
The grant program invites research proposals that fall under six thematic areas. These include early detection of risky gambling behaviors, understanding the individual, familial, or societal harms linked to gambling, and developing tools to mitigate these effects. Other areas of focus include the intersection of the video games sector with gambling, the structural aspects of gambling businesses like lotteries and betting, and the gender-related impacts of gambling behaviors. Approved projects are expected to start no earlier than January 1, 2026, and must be completed by June 30, 2027.
Simultaneously, the DGOJ has launched a public consultation to discuss potential amendments to the Gambling Regulation Act. This consultation examines the possibility of imposing stricter regulations on the use of celebrities and influencers in gambling advertisements. Under current regulations, such advertising is prohibited unless consumers actively search for betting brands online. This effort forms part of a broader trend towards more stringent advertising controls within the Spanish gambling industry.
In 2020, a Royal Decree significantly reshaped gambling advertising in Spain by banning sponsorship deals related to gambling and restricting TV and radio ads to a time slot between 5 a.m. and 1 a.m. While the original decree prohibited the use of celebrities and influencers, this measure was reversed in April 2024. Recent research revealed that since the Royal Decree’s implementation, the creation of new online gambling accounts has dropped significantly, with 1.35 million accounts opened in 2023, marking a 55% decrease from the 3.01 million accounts registered in 2020.
The next steps for the grant-funded research projects will involve proposal reviews and selections. Successful applicants will then gear up to commence their investigations in early 2026. As for the regulatory landscape, the outcomes of the public consultation may lead to further amendments to the Gambling Regulation Act, potentially reshaping advertising practices for gambling operators in Spain. The DGOJ’s ongoing efforts to tighten regulations and enhance research underscore Spain’s commitment to addressing the complexities of gambling harm in a rapidly evolving market.
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