The Spanish Directorate General for Gambling Regulation (DGOJ) has levied a €10,000 fine against Make Money Now SA, the production company behind the popular online reality show channel Zona Gemelos, for promoting an unlicensed gambling operator.
The fine, announced on Thursday, forms part of a broader regulatory crackdown on the betting sector during the first quarter of 2026. During this period, over €10 million in penalties were imposed.
Make Money Now SA, known for livestreamed programming such as The House of the Twins and The Prison of the Twins, was found to have engaged in what the DGOJ characterised as affiliate-style promotion of a gambling operator not licensed by Spanish authorities.
It said the activity constitutes a “serious” violation of Spain’s Law 13/2011 on Gambling Regulation.
Investigations revealed that commercial communications and affiliate links to the unlicensed provider were disseminated across multiple social media platforms utilised by Zona Gemelos. This included Instagram, Kick, X and Discord.
Protecting youngsters from gambling harms
The regulator had particular concerns about the presence of such gambling promotions on platforms with significant youth viewership. They raised issues about the risks posed by unregulated operators who do not comply with mandatory consumer-protection standards.
Following initial inquiries by the regulator, Make Money Now swiftly removed the infringing advertisements. The company acknowledged responsibility and made a voluntary regulatory settlement payment.
These factors, in conjunction with the prompt remedial action, allowed Make Money Now to benefit from procedural penalty reductions per Spain’s administrative procedure law (LPACAP). Consequently, DGOJ reduced the original €10,000 fine to €6,000.
Last month, the DGOJ published its Safe Gambling Programme 2026-2030 with the aim of adopting new measures to protect youngsters from gambling harms. This included researching the influence of social media on gambling patterns. The DGOJ intends to develop a standard mechanism to detect risky online gambling behaviour.
One of many
The fine against Zona Gemelos is one element of an enforcement initiative executed by the DGOJ in early 2026. The regulator published nine final rulings against online betting and gambling entities, cumulatively imposing fines of €10.29 million.
Among these nine cases, the DGOJ deemed two to be “very serious”, representing €10 million of the total penalties.
Offshore operating in Spain for two years. They were found to have been illegally offering betting services without the required Spanish licences.
Since a 2021 amendment to the Gambling Regulation Act mandated the publication of administrative sanctions, the DGOJ has increased transparency and publicised enforcement actions more proactively.
Since July 2021, DGOJ has issued 221 sanctions with total fines exceeding €506 million. This reflects intensified regulatory oversight over both licensed operators and illegal foreign entities targeting Spanish consumers.
Kathryn Evans
Kathryn covers bitesize breaking news with a primary focus on EMEA and US legislation. A proud North Walian, fluent Welsh speaker and lifelong Wrexham FC fan – long before Hollywood came calling.
Original article: https://igamingbusiness.com/marketing-affiliates/marketing-regulation/dgoj-fines-production-company-for-promoting-unlicensed/
