Focus placed on safer gaming, underage access, and cross-administration cooperation
Spain’s Gambling Policy Council has officially approved the 2024 Gambling Activity Report, providing a comprehensive overview of the country’s gaming sector while advancing policy proposals aimed at tightening regulatory oversight. This plenary session, led by Andrés Barragán Urbiola, Secretary General of Consumer Affairs and Gambling, marks a pivotal moment in Spain’s approach to balancing consumer protection with industry development.
Comprehensive Overview: The 2024 Gambling Activity Report
The 2024 report, unanimously approved by all regional and national representatives, sets a benchmark in Spain’s gambling governance by providing a data-driven snapshot of activity across land-based and online channels. It is designed to be a transparent tool accessible not only to regulatory agencies and licensed operators but also to the general public, making Spain’s gambling framework one of the most transparent in Europe.
The report supports regulatory bodies in tracking player behavior, identifying risk trends, and enforcing compliance. It also enhances public accountability by offering open access to performance and policy outcomes, thereby reinforcing the trust in government oversight.
Strengthening Online Gambling and Slot Controls
A critical focus of the session was a new proposal to regulate online gambling and slot machine accessibility, which had recently been reviewed by the Joint Commission for the Study of Addiction Problems. While the policy is still in the proposal phase, it reflects growing concern about addiction risk and underage exposure, particularly with online platforms and unmonitored slot machine access.
The meeting also presented findings from a DGOJ study into minors’ exposure to land-based gambling, although no final agreement was reached on the next steps. The lack of consensus illustrates the complexity of the issue, especially in harmonizing regional laws with national objectives.
Royal Decrees Updated: Licensing, Limits, and Safer Play
The Council reviewed updates to key legislative instruments, notably:
Royal Decree 1614/2011: Related to operator licensing and registration processes
Law 13/2011: Establishing the legal framework for gambling
Royal Decree 176/2023: Introduces joint deposit limits per player across platforms to reduce financial harm
These updates signify Spain’s ongoing effort to build a more uniform, safer, and transparent gambling environment. The introduction of joint deposit limits, in particular, is a standout feature aimed at limiting cumulative spending across multiple platforms—an approach few jurisdictions have successfully implemented at scale.
Digital Tools and Cooperative Governance
The meeting also highlighted the development of “Cooper,” a new digital platform meant to improve coordination between autonomous communities and the central government. This initiative reflects an inter-administrative shift toward digital transformation and efficiency in policy enforcement.
Meanwhile, the Responsible Gambling Advisory Council, a separate but related body under DGOJ’s purview, also met recently to explore long-term strategies for promoting safer gambling practices and harm reduction.
Conclusion
The 2024 plenary session of Spain’s Gambling Policy Council reflects a deepening institutional commitment to responsible gambling, data-driven policy, and inter-governmental collaboration. As the country navigates new regulatory challenges—from online gambling growth to the protection of minors—its coordinated approach could serve as a model for other European jurisdictions balancing innovation with consumer welfare.
