In the early months of 2024, Spain sanctioned 15 online gambling operators. Among these, 13 violations were classified as “very serious,” resulting in the closure of operations and fines of €5 million each. The total fines amount to €65 million, one of the highest penalty sums recorded to date. Companies such as Interactive Pro, Goldenpharaoh, and Gladiador Holding were fined for operating without licenses, in violation of the Gambling Regulation Law (LRJ), in effect since its approval in 2011.
The gambling sector in Spain is regulated and includes sports betting, casinos, lotteries, and bingo, both on physical platforms and online. Companies must obtain licenses to operate and adhere to strict rules, including advertising restrictions and measures to protect vulnerable players.
These actions are spearheaded by the Directorate-General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ), which oversees and regulates the sector. Since 2018, Spain has shut down more than 2,600 illegal gambling websites and imposed fines totaling nearly €400 million on companies failing to meet government standards.
In addition to the very serious violations, two cases of serious breaches were identified, committed by licensed companies such as Codere and Electraworks. These companies were penalized with fines totaling €325,000 for advertising that violated permitted standards. Despite holding licenses, they failed to comply with specific LRJ regulations, which impose strict advertising restrictions to protect vulnerable groups, such as minors.
The growth of the digital sector has brought economic benefits but also challenges related to gambling addiction, money laundering, and the exploitation of vulnerable consumers. Supervision is not limited to controlling illegal operators. In 2024, the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs, and Agenda 2030 intensified its oversight of the sector, issuing 15 sanctions in the first half of the year alone. Since 2021, the number of sanctions has exceeded 139, with total fines surpassing €333 million. The government has also introduced measures to promote responsible gambling practices and reduce the influence of operators that encourage risky behaviors.
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