Spanish operators signal strong opposition against gambling reform ahead of Gaming in Spain Conference

Licensed firms are weighing legal action against cross-operator caps while Jdigital signals it will withhold cooperation until after the 2027 elections.

Key takeaways:

• Spain is preparing new gambling restrictions, including cross-operator deposit limits and a central problem gambling detection algorithm mandated by the DGOJ.
• Jdigital has signalled that it will not cooperate with the government and regulator on the reforms during the remainder of the current legislative session.
• The Spanish government also plans to amend the country’s gambling act and introduce further marketing restrictions in the longer term.
• Spanish-licensed operators are reportedly considering legal action to prevent the DGOJ from implementing cross-operator deposit limits.
• Regulatory reform and the industry’s response will be discussed at the 2026 Gaming in Spain Conference in Madrid on October 15.

Press release.- Spanish licensed operators and their trade body Jdigital are preparing to resist a new wave of government restrictions, including cross-operator deposit limits and a central DGOJ-mandated problem-gambling detection algorithm, with industry sources indicating that legal action is being considered to block the measures. The pushback comes as the government plans further amendments to the gambling act, including tighter marketing rules, while Jdigital has signalled it will withhold cooperation until after the 2027 parliamentary elections in the hope of a more industry-friendly administration.

Trade body Jdigital recently released a statement indicating that it would not cooperate with the government and regulator until at least after next year’s parliamentary elections: “In the final phase of the current legislative session, and with no expectation that a reform of this magnitude can complete the legislative process and become law, the work carried out in the coming months must necessarily be viewed with a horizon that extends beyond the current legislative term.”

Spanish-licensed operators thus appear to be betting on the more industry-friendly Partido Popular returning to power in 2027.

Court proceedings against cross-operator deposit limits? 

During a recent Gaming in Spain webinar, a gaming lawyer stated that Spanish-licensed operators are clearly unhappy with the proposed reforms and are considering launching a court case against the government to stop the DGOJ from implementing cross-operator deposit limits.

What does this mean for the 2026 Gaming in Spain Conference? 

Regulatory reform and the industry’s reaction will be important topics at this year’s Gaming in Spain Conference, which will take place on October 15, 2026, in Madrid.

The event’s full agenda – which includes sessions on the growing threat of the black market, AML and fraud prevention, new products and technologies, and much more – is available here.

Practical information 

The 2026 Gaming in Spain Conference takes place Thursday, October 15, 2026, at the Auditorio ECIJA, close to the heart of always lively Madrid. Registration for the event is now open. Click here to register.