DGOJ License

Who Regulates the Market and Issues Licenses

Online gambling in Spain is regulated by the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ). It is a division of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs (Ministerio de Consumo) responsible for issuing licenses, supervising new and existing operators, and protecting player interests. The offline sector (casinos, gaming halls, bingo venues) is regulated by separate authorities in the country’s 17 autonomous regions, each with its own tax rules and advertising standards. As a result, a national license applies only to online gambling, while offline operators must undergo regional registration and separate certification with local authorities.

For example, Madrid and Catalonia impose additional requirements related to venue standards, the number of gaming machines, and the organization of responsible gambling measures. Autonomous regions implement their own tax schemes, and local regulators identify illegal operators and impose sanctions following inspections or player complaints. Overall, the Spanish market is characterized by a stable regulatory structure with a clear division of powers between the DGOJ and regional authorities.

Types of Activities and Available Licenses

DGOJ licenses are required for all online operators that want to offer their services to Spanish players. The currently permitted activities include sports betting, online casinos, poker, bingo, virtual sports simulations, and lotteries. All major brands operate under the .es domain and are required to comply with GDPR (the General Data Protection Regulation in the EU and EEA) as well as local data transparency standards.

Statistics: as of 2025, around 80 licensed online operators are registered with the DGOJ. In the offline sector, there are 363 licensed casinos, more than 2,100 slot machine halls, and over 150 specialized bingo clubs.

The national lotteries are operated by SELAE and ONCE. Winnings above €40,000 are subject to a 20% tax. Each year, the lottery segment pays out more than €5 billion in prizes, while total ticket sales consistently exceed 500 million units.

Who Can Obtain a License and How the Procedure Works

Spain welcomes both domestic and foreign operators. A company must be registered in one of the EEA countries (European Economic Area), provide financial guarantees of EUR 2 million, and comply with Law 13/2011 (an EU-equivalent regulatory standard). The reliability and transparency of the business structure are closely reviewed by the DGOJ at the initial application stage.

To launch a platform, operators must prepare full technical and legal documentation, a business plan, verify the sources of capital, and outline the ownership structure. Each gaming product undergoes an independent audit using GLI standards, technical certification, API compatibility testing, and the implementation of data protection mechanisms in line with GDPR.

The licensing process consists of two stages. First, the operator applies for a “General License” covering the main type of activity, such as casino operations or sports betting. After that, the operator submits separate applications for a “Singular License” for each individual product, including poker, table games, slots, and virtual betting. Each application requires a new audit and the publication of a report for both players and the regulator.

The company must register with the Spanish tax authority, appoint a local representative or service office, and maintain a bank guarantee of at least EUR 2 million. All platforms are subject to regular technical audits, including AML reports, player protection reports, and monitoring of suspicious or high-value transactions.

Player Protection and Responsible Gaming Standards

Operators are required to integrate modern self-exclusion tools, including deposit limits, bet and session time limits, and account blocking at the user’s request. The RGIAJ self-exclusion system is a national register that allows players to block themselves from all DGOJ-approved platforms. As of 2025, more than 60,000 users are registered in the system, with the number of applications doubling after recent awareness campaigns.

All websites publish informational notices, support helplines, warn about the risks of gambling addiction, and are required to provide links to prevention services and educational resources. AI and behavioral technologies are being introduced to automatically detect risk indicators and block repeated participation by players who breach responsible gambling rules.

Gambling advertising is subject to particularly strict regulation. Limits apply to broadcast times, content, and placement platforms. All advertising materials must include a gambling risk warning, a helpline number, age restrictions, and links for account self-blocking.

Oversight, Compliance and Modern Challenges

Spanish regulators apply some of the strictest standards in Europe. Operating without a license can result in fines of up to EUR 50 million, domain blocking, and criminal prosecution. In 2024 alone, more than EUR 65 million in fines were imposed for online violations, and 42 illegal websites were shut down following court rulings or DGOJ decisions.

The Spanish license requires ongoing compliance with European AML standards, KYC procedures (customer identification), and technical protocols. The regulator actively responds to illegal gambling activity by blocking websites and working with major payment systems to automatically monitor suspicious transactions.

Market, Tendencies and Development

Online gambling in Spain is one of the fastest growing segments. In the second quarter of 2025, revenue reached EUR 410 million, while the number of active players rose to 1.9 million. The most popular segments are football betting, roulette, online slots, digital bingo, and esports.

Spain continues to develop responsible gambling by running annual awareness campaigns, updating audit standards, and introducing new control and prevention mechanisms aimed at reducing gambling addiction.

Conclusion

The Spanish license is a well-known and respected standard for European operators. The regulator enforces strict audits, a strong accountability framework, and a high level of player protection. The DGOJ regularly updates its requirements for transparency, security, and ethical business practices.