Staff Reporter
Sun. Siesta. Sangria. Spain is known for many things, but gambling isn’t the first idea that comes to mind. Maybe not even in the top ten. Irrespective, there is a growing interest in gambling in both online and real-world casinos. A glance at any gambling news in the country suggests an ongoing battle between the betting companies and regulators, so is there a potential shift coming?
Spanish government set laws in the 2000s
With the advent of the millennium and the associated technology rise, Spain’s government set legislation in 2006 when it passed its first internet gambling laws. These laws stood for five years until revisions came under the 2011 Spanish Gambling Act, which redefined all laws on gambling, both at live venues and online.
Any gambling company that wants to operate legally within Spain’s geographic boundaries must apply for a license, which can be a rigorous task. These permits last 10 years and must be re-applied for after they expire. This timeframe discourages smaller flash-in-the-pan companies from trying to force their way into the industry.
Fines for unregulated/on-compliant operators
At the end of 2024, the Spanish government fined multiple companies €65.4m for not operating within the regulations to around 20 companies. This has been part of a more extensive campaign since 2020, where the government has imposed new rules and restrictions on the industry as to how they can advertise and operate.
Changing advertising laws on gambling marketing
The Spanish government has been trying to limit and impose restrictions on how gambling sites can market their products and services. The first significant change was prohibiting gambling companies from advertising on the front of La Liga football teams, which took effect in 2021.
The government is trying to make minors and young audiences less aware of gambling. While not wanting to falter the industry – there is a prevalent emphasis on safeguarding vulnerable audiences. There could also be a potential counterstrike from authorities with campaigns aimed at preventing gambling. According to Gambling News, Spain was highlighted as a country where gambling ads had become almost too commonplace, so “anti-gambling” campaigns could help to curb those effects.
One approach that has been taken is to prevent ‘high profile’ or ‘notorious’ figures from appearing in marketing campaigns or materials for gambling companies. In April 2024, the Spanish Supreme Court deliberated over the concept. While many pundits predicted that the measures would tighten the industry, however, the deciding powers stated that there was little legal coverage to make concrete changes. No doubt this issue will rumble on over time in the country.
Spain loves slot machines
When judging casino game popularity, one type stands out above all the others: the slot machine. Online slots capture the imagination of the Spanish betting market and continue to grow in player count. 2023 saw a significant 25.9% player increase, while Q2 2024 saw a massive growth of over 19.5%.
Spain loves soccer betting
The Spanish betting market also has a penchant for betting on the sports market. In particular, betting on soccer games. The domestic competition, La Liga and Liga Segunda are the most popular options for betting, as bettors are keen to wager on their favourite teams and those familiar to them.
Other peak market interests revolve around when the Spanish national team are playing in high-profile competitions like the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championships. Spanish sportsbooks typically focus on football markets, but there is also dedication to tennis and basketball options.
Is gambling socially acceptable in Spain?
Gambling is not considered taboo in Spain for the most part. In 2022, it was estimated that 80% of all Spanish adults placed some bet or participated in some gambling activity, whether online casino games, sports betting, or playing the lottery. Gambling kiosks are often found in vibrant cities, where players can pay for a lottery ticket or scratch card-style game. These kiosks have been vindicated in the country as many of the profits go to help charitable causes like the elderly, blind or deaf population.
Most popular gambling sites in Spain
Spanish gamblers like a mix of high-profile international companies like Bet365, Bwin, and William Hill and local products like Codere and Gran Casino Aranjuez, which cater to the local Spanish-speaking market.
What about offshore casinos in Spain?
Offshore casinos are not as commonplace in Spain as in other places, with a lot less jurisdiction on the end user—many simply use the nationally licensed options. Offshore sites are technically not allowed to operate or offer services in Spain. The legal definition of ‘operating’ is hazy, as these sites will state they do not operate or emanate from Spain, instead requiring Spanish users to find a way to access their far-flung gambling site.
