ES
Spain's Gambling Act (Law 13/2011)
Overview
Spain's Gambling Act (Law 13/2011 of May 27) governs the organization, operation, and advertising of gambling activities that take place at the national level, especially online gambling. It aims to protect public order, prevent fraud, curb gambling addiction, safeguard minors, and ensure fair play.
Regulation Summary
- Law enacted: May 27, 2011
- Published in BOE (Official State Gazette): May 28, 2011
- Last amendment: March 14, 2023
- Any business offering gambling services (lotteries, betting, raffles, games of chance) across Spain through electronic, interactive, or IT-based means.
- Includes cross-border operators targeting Spanish residents.
- Social or leisure games without economic gain for the organizer.
- Local gambling activities regulated at the regional (Autonomous Community) level.
- Promotional games without added cost beyond consuming a product/service.
- Obtain the appropriate license: general and singular licenses are required for ongoing gambling operations.
- Prevent access by minors and self-excluded individuals.
- Combat fraud and money laundering.
- Promote responsible gambling practices.
- Maintain transparency in operations and advertisements.
- Submit advertising plans for approval.
- Use an .es domain for Spain-targeted gambling operations.
- Redirect Spanish users from other domains to the .es version.
- Implement age verification systems and self-exclusion checks.
- Publish clear rules, game terms, and contact information.
- Block unauthorized participants and notify the Gambling Commission of violations.
- Centralized registration system for self-exclusion and linked persons.
- Technical systems must be certified and connected to Spain’s central control system.
- Mandatory reporting on responsible gambling initiatives.
- Participants can access, correct, and delete their data under data protection laws.
- Rights extend to reviewing participation history and requesting exclusion from platforms.
- Supervised by the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ) under the Ministry of Finance.
- Sanctions include fines up to €50 million (approx. $54 million USD) for very serious infractions.
- DGOJ has the authority to block websites, suspend operations, and publish violations.