The Spanish government has recently taken a decisive step by enforcing new regulations on the gambling sector, mandating that online gambling operators display tobacco-style warnings. These warnings are intended to alert players to the potential dangers of gambling addiction and the likelihood of financial loss. The imposition of these measures was announced by Minister for Social Rights Pablo Bustinduy at a safer gambling event held on October 1, 2025. However, the sector’s trade body, JDigital, was not consulted about these policy changes prior to the announcement, as confirmed by their general director, Jorge Hinojosa, who expressed surprise at learning about the policy through the media.
Hinojosa elaborated on the situation, mentioning that the Ministry for Consumer Affairs had indicated the new measures would be implemented, yet provided no details on how they would be incorporated into existing laws. The regulator has also been vague about the timeline for introducing these tobacco-style warnings, leaving operators unclear about the specifics and seeking a comprehensive impact analysis to understand the regulations’ full implications.
The recent measures are part of the Royal Decree 958/2020, which governs marketing and communications related to gambling in Spain. The decision to introduce such warnings was influenced by data on gambling addiction, published in 2024 by the Spanish Ministry for Health as part of the National Drug Plan. Nevertheless, Hinojosa questioned the relevance of this data, pointing out that the addiction statistics among consumers have not significantly worsened over recent years. “The addiction levels among students have remained stable for the past four or five years,” he noted, suggesting that while the data is a concern, it does not reflect a growing problem.
In addition to these recent changes, Spanish policymakers are contemplating reintroducing stricter regulations aimed at protecting players. A ban on the use of celebrities in gambling advertising, which had previously been lifted, is under consideration for reinstatement. This measure is currently being processed through the Spanish Congress, although no specific timeline has been provided.
Hinojosa mentioned that up to five policies from the original Royal Decree 958/2020, which significantly restricted gambling marketing when initially implemented, are under review by the government. These regulations had previously aimed to limit minors’ exposure to gambling advertisements by prohibiting sponsorship deals with gambling operators. Although the Supreme Court approved the Decree in November 2020, some measures were overturned in 2024. There are speculations from other stakeholders that the full range of restrictions could soon be reinforced, potentially including advertising watersheds for TV and radio and limits on welcome bonuses for new customers.
The approach to regulation, as Hinojosa pointed out, should be informed by empirical evidence and consistent over time, rather than being reactionary or based on isolated data points. “It is confusing to see so many regulations meant to protect players, but what then safeguards the gambling market?” he reflected on the government’s reform strategies.
The lack of a clear timeline for debating these new policies can be attributed to the current political instability in Spain. In June, the organisational secretary of the Spanish Prime Minister’s Socialist Workers’ party (PSOE) resigned amid corruption allegations. Additionally, the prime minister has faced calls for resignation due to a scandal affecting other party members, adding to the political tumult.
Despite these challenges, one area where the Spanish gambling sector appears to be safe is taxation. Unlike other countries such as the UK, Netherlands, Latvia, and Romania, which are contemplating or implementing tax hikes on the sector, Spain has not held a budget session in the last two years and is not expected to do so in 2025. Hinojosa, therefore, does not foresee any imminent changes to the tax system. “We do not anticipate any change to the tax system,” he stated, noting that a tax increase would negatively impact the investments and innovation that the sector contributes to the country, regardless of governmental preferences.
This evolving landscape reflects a delicate balance between enhancing player protection and supporting a thriving gaming industry. On one hand, the government aims to mitigate gambling-related harms, while on the other, there’s an implicit acknowledgment of the economic contributions of the gambling sector. These policy decisions, whether through marketing restrictions or tax considerations, will shape the future of gambling in Spain, requiring strategic navigation by all involved stakeholders. As the situation unfolds, the sector will need to remain vigilant and adaptive to ensure stability amid regulatory and political shifts.
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