DGOJ renews advisory council & unveils Safe Gambling Program

Spain’s gambling regulator just refreshed its advisory council and released the draft Safe Gambling Program for 2026–2030.

The Council now includes experts from academia, health, public bodies, and the gambling industry.

Its draft program outlines proactive measures to curb gambling harm and enhance consumer safeguards.

Discover how Spain is future‑proofing its gambling market via this strategic initiative.

Spain Launches Advisory Council & Safe Gambling Strategy for 2026–2030

3 Key Points

• Council Renewal: The DGOJ appointed a diverse panel of experts focusing on gambling disorder prevention.
• Safe Gambling Program Draft: A 2026–2030 roadmap with three pillars: landscape analysis, prevention, and player protection .
• Collaborative Feedback Loop: Council has 3 months to propose enhancements before final program adoption.

Spain’s gambling sector is entering a new era of responsible supervision. The Dirección General para la Regulación del Juego (DGOJ) has not only appointed fresh advisory council members but also unveiled the Safe Gambling Program 2026–2030, marking a strategic leap in regulatory governance.

1. Council Renewal: Expertise Meets Responsibility

At the inaugural session under Director General Mikel Arana, the Responsible Gambling Advisory Council received a comprehensive overhaul. The newly appointed body brings together:

• Public administration officials and regional authority representatives.
• Experts in psychology, addiction research, and healthcare.
• Gambling-sector stakeholders and consumer advocates.

This diversity ensures that policy crafting is balanced, evidence-informed, and rooted in multiple perspectives. It also responds to growing public and political demands for accountability, following recent enforcement actions against unlicensed operators.

2. Safe Gambling Program 2026–2030: Structure & Focus

The draft Safe Gambling Program lays out a four-year framework featuring three pillars:

a) Landscape Analysis & Diagnosis

First, the program commits to a rigorous mapping of the Spanish gambling context:

• Data-driven assessment of market dynamics.
• Identifying emerging risks, especially digital platforms and loot boxes.

b) Prevention & Safe Practices

The second pillar targets proactive measures:

• Enhanced training for outlets to recognise and assist at-risk gamblers.
• Promotion of self-exclusion tools and monetary/time limits.
• Stricter marketing and advertising regulations, aligned with EU standards.

c) Player Protection & Support

Finally, the Program supports structural safeguards:

• Consumer education via campaigns and digital media.
• Strengthened helplines and funded addiction treatment initiatives.
• Mechanisms for stakeholder collaboration and shared best practices.

In addition, the draft outlines six strategic objectives and 22 targeted actions. These include setting up evaluation metrics, establishing public-private anti-harm task forces, and digitizing monitoring systems.

3. Consultation Timeline & Stakeholder Engagement

The Council is now tasked with reviewing the draft. Over three months, members will provide feedback and recommendations. Upon consensus, the final Program will be ratified at the next Council session . This collaborative approach fosters transparency and ensures that revisions are informed by real-world experience from operators, academia, and health professionals.

Context & Supporting Developments

• Crackdown on Illegal Operations: The DGOJ issued fines totaling over €77 million in 2024. It also banned fourteen unauthorized platforms, demonstrating its enforcement resolve.

• Research Investment: The regulator launched a €1.05 million grant for gambling disorder research in 2025, signaling growing investment in evidence-based policy.

• Technical Updates Pending: New Royal Decrees are in motion to introduce shared deposit limits and further protective tech requirements. Meanwhile, public awareness campaigns target at-risk groups under 25.

Why This Matters

1. Evolving Regulation: The Program demonstrates Spain’s shift from reactive enforcement to strategic oversight aligned with EU best practices.
2. Integrated Approach: By blending stakeholder input, health services, and data analytics, the initiative offers a more holistic response to gambling risks.
3. Industry Predictability: The framework gives clarity to operators on priorities like consumer protection and compliance.

Spain’s DGOJ is advancing a modern, collaborative path for gambling regulation. The refreshed advisory council—inclusive of diverse expertise—will critique the draft Safe Gambling Program (2026‑2030), which outlines rigorous analysis, prevention, and protection strategies. Supported by robust enforcement and research grants, this initiative positions Spain at the forefront of responsible gambling in Europe.

Stay tuned as the Council’s feedback shapes the final plan and defines Spain’s gambling agenda for the next four years.