Online casinos are legal in Spain, but they operate under strict regulatory oversight established by Law 13/2011 of the Spanish Gambling Act (1). This comprehensive legislation provides a clear legal framework for operators offering online gaming services within the country, ensuring consumer protection and responsible gambling practices. The Spanish government recognized the need to regulate the rapidly growing online gambling sector and created a licensing system that allows legitimate operators to provide casino services to Spanish residents.
The regulatory authority responsible for overseeing online gambling activities in Spain is the General Directorate for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ), which operates under the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and Agenda 2030 (2). This government body regulates, authorizes, supervises, controls, and when necessary, penalizes gambling activities throughout the Spanish territory. Companies wishing to operate online casinos must obtain proper licensing from the DGOJ and meet stringent requirements including being incorporated in Spain, maintaining minimum share capital, and having casino operations as their primary business purpose.
"Online gambling in Spain is regulated by Law 13/2011 of the Spanish Gambling Act, which provides a clear structure for operators offering online gaming services within the country."
The licensing system requires prospective operators to undergo rigorous scrutiny, with shareholders, directors, and top-level management needing to pass suitability analyses and comply with strict regulatory standards. The DGOJ maintains a comprehensive register of all authorized gaming websites to monitor compliance and identify any unauthorized gambling activities operating within Spain's market. This regulatory framework ensures that only legitimate, properly licensed operators can legally offer online casino services to Spanish players, creating a safe and controlled environment for online gambling activities.
Source:
https://altenar.com/blog/gambling-laws-and-regulations-in-spain-your-compliance-guide-for-2025/
https://sede.ordenacionjuego.gob.es/en/Identificacion-Sede
Last updated: 26-07-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
