The Spanish Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ) has this week announced a comprehensive new Safe Gambling Programme which aims to adopt new measures to protect youngsters from gambling harms. Including assessing the impact of social media marketing on youths.
The plan, titled the Safe Gambling Programme 2026–2030, was introduced at a recent meeting of the Advisory Council on Safe Gambling held at the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ) headquarters in Madrid.
It is structured around three main priorities, supported by six overarching objectives and 24 specific measures which will be determined in consultation with the DGOJ’s advisory body, the Consejo Asesor.
To build the necessary evidence base ahead of the plan, the DGOJ opened a €1 million research grant scheme in May 2025.
What prompted the DGOJ to reassess consumer protections in Spain?
In documents announcing the programme, the DGOJ highlighted several significant market developments since 2019 that led to its decision to reassess consumer protections. These included the continued concentration of revenues among a small group of major operators and notable demographic shifts, with increased online gambling participation among younger individuals, particularly those aged 18 to 25.
At the same time, it warned rapid digital innovation had amplified the influence of social media, video games and artificial intelligence across the industry’s marketing strategies and product design.
The regulator is studying the influence of social media on gambling patterns, and will develop a standardised mechanism for detecting risky online gambling behaviour, as mandated by the 2023 Real Decreto.
A ramp up in data, prevention and player protection push
As part of its process to develop the plan, the DGOJ aims to compile a comprehensive catalogue of international and regional gambling policies. It will also investigate the structural features of games that may contribute to addictive behaviours.
Efforts will focus on producing accessible public guidance, including informative guides on risky behaviours and gambling risks. It will also include a directory of treatment and support services. It will reassess the player self‑assessment tool currently used for deposit and limit changes.
Strengthening collaboration with treatment providers and integrating gambling monitoring with national addiction frameworks such as EDADES, ESTUDES and the Plan Nacional sobre Drogas is also emphasised.
The DGOJ is planning comprehensive communication campaigns and regular thematic conferences addressing key topics such as artificial intelligence and loot boxes in video games. Vulnerable populations, including young players, intensive gamers and individuals previously excluded from gambling, are priority targets for awareness‑raising.
The initiative also promotes usage of consumer protection tools like the national exclusion register (RGIAJ), the Phishing Alert service and the Protocol for Victims of Identity Misuse (PACS).
Programme will evaluate impact of Royal Decrees
These trends have unfolded alongside tighter regulatory oversight in Spain, marked by the introduction of Royal Decree 958/2020 and Royal Decree 176/2023 which imposed stricter controls on advertising, session and payment limits, and account suspension protocols over the last few years.
Spain last year enforced a new requirement for online gambling platforms to display addiction warnings, similar in tone to those used in tobacco regulation. This was met by pushback from the industry trade body, who claimed there had been no prior communication to the industry, on the change.
The Safe Gambling Programme commits to evaluating the impact of the 2020 and 2023 royal decrees and their alignment with European Union directives and international regulatory frameworks.
Original article: https://igamingbusiness.com/sustainable-gambling/responsible-gambling/spain-unveils-safe-gambling-programme/
