The Supreme Court’s recent rejection of rules on gambling advertising in Spain, including the ban on promotional advertising incentives, the use of celebrities in advertisements and broad bans on commercial communications via online platforms has not dented the firm government decision to adopt restrictive measures. The Minister for Social Policies and the 2030 Agenda Pablo Bustinduy expressed his Ministry’s commitment to reintroducing stricter controls, focusing in particular on advertising on the Internet and on social media, on the involvement of celebrities or influencers in gambling campaigns gambling and the regulation of welcome bonuses aimed at younger people.
The Ministry’s agenda would go beyond simply reinstating previous restrictions. The plans include introducing new laws aimed at regulating video game “loot boxes” and implementing identity verification requirements, which were not originally part of the Royal Decree.
The Spanish government is also working on regulations that ensure responsible gaming environments. This initiative aims to establish strict surveillance of gambling operators and market activities. Key features of this initiative will include the creation of a centralized player registry and mandatory record keeping of risk profiles for players under the age of 25.
The Directorate General of Gambling Regulation (DGOJ) is currently consulting on the technical requirements necessary to effectively implement the decree.
Discussions are ongoing about the feasibility of implementing such rigorous supervision measures and whether Spanish authorities can adequately monitor gambling activities and consumer involvement.
