The Spanish government has implemented a royal decree, effective from June 23, 2026, which introduces joint deposit limits for all licensed online gambling operators in the country. This development, spearheaded by the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and the 2030 Agenda, aims to create uniformity in deposit restrictions. However, the decision has been met with apprehension from Jdigital, the representative body for online gambling operators in Spain, due to potential regulatory and market implications.
Previously, each gambling operator in Spain could determine their own deposit limits, allowing players to exceed these by dispersing their deposits across different platforms. The new regulation standardizes deposit limits at €700 daily, €1,750 weekly, and €3,300 every four weeks. While this aims to curb excessive gambling by closing loopholes in the previous system, Jdigital has expressed concerns that this change targets a small segment of the gambling market, citing data from the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ) which suggests that approximately 80% of online gamblers in Spain use only one operator.
Jdigital argues that the new limits might concentrate player activity with larger operators, potentially affecting market competition. Smaller operators might struggle to compete, which could inadvertently favour established market leaders. This concentration could lead to reduced market diversity and innovation.
The association also highlighted the operational and technological challenges associated with implementing a centralized, real-time system to track deposits across all operators. The need for such a system presents a significant compliance burden, requiring substantial investment in infrastructure and technology to manage real-time data from thousands of players simultaneously. Jdigital has called for a phased implementation to allow operators to adjust to the new system and has urged the government to provide evidence supporting the necessity of these measures.
Additionally, the risk of driving players to unlicensed markets is a significant concern. According to Jdigital, tighter restrictions could make the regulated market less appealing, resulting in more players turning to unlicensed operators. This is supported by the experience of other jurisdictions, such as the Netherlands, where increased restrictions have reportedly heightened the appeal of the illegal gambling market. An EY report commissioned by Jdigital suggests that about 25% of Spanish gamblers may already be engaging with unlicensed platforms, a figure that could rise if regulatory measures are perceived as overly restrictive.
The introduction of these joint deposit limits is expected to prompt ongoing dialogue between the industry and regulators. Jdigital has expressed willingness to collaborate with public bodies to develop solutions that achieve consumer protection without compromising market competitiveness. The DGOJ’s recent initiative, which allocates a €950,000 fund to research gambling-related harm, indicates a commitment to understanding and mitigating risks associated with problem gambling.
Looking ahead, the implementation timeline of these new deposit limits will be crucial. Operators will require time to adapt their systems and processes to ensure compliance without disrupting the market. Continuous assessment and consultation between industry stakeholders and regulators will be essential to balance the twin goals of safeguarding consumer interests and maintaining a robust, competitive market environment.
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