Spain’s online gambling industry has voiced concerns after the government approved new nationwide deposit limits, warning the changes could unintentionally drive players toward unlicensed operators while creating major technical challenges for licensed companies.
The new royal decree, approved by the Council of Ministers on 23 June, introduces a centralized deposit limit system covering all licensed online gambling operators. Instead of each operator managing its own limits, player deposits will now be tracked collectively across the regulated market.
Under the new rules, players will be limited to deposits of €700 per day, €1,750 per week and €3,300 over a four-week period across all licensed operators. The reform aims to prevent customers from bypassing limits by spreading deposits between multiple gambling sites.
Spanish trade association Jdigital acknowledged the government’s goal of strengthening player protection but argued the measure targets only a relatively small portion of the market. Citing data from Spain’s gambling regulator, the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ), the association said around 80% of online gamblers use just one licensed operator, meaning the new system primarily affects customers who play across several platforms.
Jdigital also warned that the centralized limits could give larger operators a competitive advantage by encouraging players to concentrate their gambling activity with the biggest brands rather than spreading it across multiple licensed sites.
The association highlighted the technical complexity of implementing a real-time monitoring system capable of processing deposit activity across all licensed operators simultaneously. According to Jdigital, the new framework will require significant investment from both operators and regulators, and any early technical issues should not result in penalties for licensed businesses.
Beyond operational concerns, Jdigital reiterated its long-standing warning that increasingly restrictive regulation risks making the legal market less attractive. The organization argued that tougher controls could encourage some consumers to move to offshore gambling websites that operate outside Spain’s regulatory framework and player protection measures.
The trade body called for a realistic implementation schedule and urged authorities to ensure the new system is supported by clear evidence demonstrating that the restrictions are both necessary and proportionate. It also said it remains willing to work with regulators on policies that improve consumer protection while preserving a competitive and sustainable licensed market.