Spain Considers Stricter ID Checks for Gambling

Spain’s government is pushing for stricter gambling ID verification to prevent underage and self-excluded players from gambling.

The proposal includes mandatory ID checks on slot machines and design changes for online games to make them less addictive.

As Spain’s online gambling revenue surges, regulators seek to tighten player protections while balancing market growth and responsible gaming.

Learn how these regulatory changes could reshape Spain’s gaming landscape and impact players, operators, and industry stakeholders.

Spain Proposes Mandatory ID Checks to Prevent Underage Gambling

3 Key Points:

1. Mandatory ID Verification: Spain’s government proposes strict ID checks for slot machines to prevent minors and self-excluded individuals from gambling.
2. New Online Gaming Regulations: The bill seeks to enforce less addictive designs for online gambling to promote responsible gaming.
3. Spain’s Gambling Market Grows: Online gross gaming revenue reached €348.1M in Q3, rising 14.4% year-on-year, partly due to advertising restrictions being lifted.

Spain’s ruling PSOE party, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has introduced a bill to tighten gambling regulations, focusing on underage protection and responsible gaming.

The proposal, approved by Spain’s parliamentary Commission for the Study of Addiction Problems, will now move to Congress and the Senate for debate and a final vote.

Key measures include:

• Mandatory ID verification for slot machines to prevent minors and self-excluded players from gambling.
• Stricter design rules for online casino games to reduce their addictive nature.
• Increased oversight on player protection measures across land-based and online gaming platforms.

While no official debate date has been set, the proposal reflects growing concerns about problem gambling and youth participation in Spain’s expanding market.

Underage Gambling on the Rise in Spain

The PSOE cites a 2022 study that found 21.5% of 14-to-18-year-olds had gambled in-person or online in the past year.

The study also suggested:

• Gambling participation increases with age, making early intervention critical to reducing long-term gambling harm.
• Accessibility to gaming machines and online betting platforms has fueled a rise in underage gambling behavior.

Spanish regulators see enhanced player identification as a necessary step to prevent youth gambling and strengthen compliance measures.

Spain’s Gambling Market Continues to Expand

Despite concerns over problem gambling, Spain’s online gaming industry is thriving. The DGOJ (Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego) reported:

• €348.1M in gross gaming revenue (GGR) in Q3, up 14.4% year-on-year and 0.5% from Q2.
• A 33.3% increase in monthly active gaming accounts, reaching 1.44 million users.
• A 42.4% rise in new gaming accounts, hitting 153,181 registrations per month.

This growth coincides with a surge in gambling marketing spending, following an April Supreme Court ruling that lifted some advertising restrictions.

Operators responded with:

• €131.7M in total marketing spend, a 40.9% year-on-year increase.
• €66.9M allocated to player promotions and €50.4M on direct advertising.
• €13.2M spent on affiliate partnerships and €1.3M on sponsorships.

While operators capitalize on a more flexible advertising landscape, the government remains committed to tightening player protections.

A Balancing Act Between Growth and Responsibility

Spain’s proposed mandatory ID checks for gambling reflect the government’s growing focus on responsible gaming amid market expansion. While operators enjoy rising revenues, regulators seek to curb underage gambling and protect vulnerable players.

As the bill moves through Congress and the Senate, its potential impact on the industry, player access, and regulatory enforcement will be closely watched. The outcome could reshape Spain’s gaming landscape, influencing how casinos and betting platforms operate in the future.