Spain Intensifies Action Against Illegal Gambling
Published: May 6, 2024 | Author: Ron Clarke
Spain’s main regulatory body for gambling, the General Directorate of Gambling Regulation (DGOJ), has issued substantial fines totaling more than €81 million to 17 websites for severe infractions in regulations. This action, carried out in the second half of 2023, also led to the shutdown of ten unauthorized gambling platforms, marking a significant move to clean up the online betting sector.
The fines were applied to a range of operators, both within Spain and internationally, which operated without the necessary licenses. The National Organization of Spanish and European Disabled People (ONDEE) was among those receiving the most severe penalties, with a fine of €35 million and an order to cease operations for four years. This group was challenged by ONCE, an officially licensed operator, for conducting lottery activities without authorization and engaging in direct competition unfairly.
Mikel Arana, the Director General of the DGOJ, stressed the importance of these penalties in maintaining a secure environment for gaming. He described how the enforcement of strict sanctions is essential to maintain safety in gaming. Arana also pointed out the proactive steps taken by the DGOJ to block access to illegal sites, highlighting that these actions are crucial to shield young people and other vulnerable groups from the risks posed by unauthorized gambling.
From July 2021, when the DGOJ began to make these penalties public, the agency has enforced 139 sanctions totaling €333 million. The recent measures show an increasing trend in enforcement, with 30 operators penalized in the first half of 2023, accumulating fines of €71.4 million. This period of vigorous regulatory activity corresponds with a consistent growth in the Spanish gambling market over the past years, indicating a proactive regulatory approach in response to the sector’s dynamic evolution
The DGOJ also monitors licensed operators closely. In the latest penalties, seven licensed companies were found to have mistakenly permitted access to young or self-excluded individuals, resulting in fines of €1.1 million. These breaches typically occurred due to technical errors and were quickly addressed once identified, according to Arana.
These regulatory actions occur alongside a recent decision by the Supreme Court to invalidate portions of a law that limited advertising in gambling, including constraints on promotions and endorsements by popular figures. This change in the legal framework could influence future regulatory actions, Arana said, since until these limitations are reinstated in the law, the DGOJ will not have the authority to enforce them.
With one of the lowest rates of illegal gambling in Europe, below 3%, Spain through the actions of the DGOJ sends a clear signal: the regulator remains vigilant, ensuring that gambling activities are conducted legally and ethically, and safeguarding the interests of the most at-risk players.
