TLDR
- Spain has opened a public consultation on major changes to its Gambling Regulation Act, running until June 22, 2026
- Proposed rules would restrict celebrities and influencers from appearing in gambling ads and promotions
- Regulators want to limit gambling operators from showing up in organic search results unless the search is directly related to betting
- Spain is also developing a mandatory algorithm to detect problem gambling early, expected to improve detection by ten percentage points
- Gambling ads in Spain will soon carry health-style warnings similar to tobacco packaging, including stats like a 75% chance of losing money
Spain is taking steps to overhaul its gambling laws for the first time in 15 years. The country has launched a public consultation on proposed changes to the Gambling Regulation Act.
The Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and Agenda 2030 announced the consultation on Monday, May 18. The process will remain open until June 22, 2026.
One of the main targets of the reform is the use of celebrities and influencers in gambling promotions. Regulators want to limit their involvement in advertising campaigns and customer acquisition offers.
The proposed rules would also affect how gambling operators appear in online search results. Under the new framework, operator pages would only show up when searches are directly connected to betting.
Spain Targets Celebrity Endorsements and Search Visibility
The Directorate General for Gambling Regulation is leading the reform effort. Officials say the goal is to modernize a law that no longer reflects the realities of online gambling.
The consultation is open to citizens, organizations, and other stakeholders. It will collect views on prevention, illegal gambling, and the regulatory tools needed to enforce new standards.
Celebrity and influencer endorsements have become a common feature of gambling advertising across Europe. Spain’s move to restrict them signals a shift in how the country wants operators to reach potential customers.
The restrictions would apply to paid advertising campaigns as well as promotional activities tied to customer sign-ups. This could affect sponsorship deals and social media partnerships that gambling companies currently rely on.
Search engine visibility is another area of focus. Regulators want to make sure gambling sites do not appear in results unless the user is specifically looking for betting content.
New Detection Tools and Health Warnings on the Horizon
Beyond advertising, Spain is also rolling out new protective measures. One of the most important is an algorithm designed to detect problem gambling at an early stage.
The algorithm will be built on real microdata collected from player activity. It will be mandatory for all licensed operators in the country.
Officials expect the system to raise problem gambling detection rates by around ten percentage points. This would allow operators and regulators to intervene sooner when players show signs of risky behavior.
Spain has also confirmed that gambling advertisements will soon carry health-style warnings. These will be similar to the labels found on tobacco packaging.
The warnings will include specific figures about the risks of betting. One example cited is the 75% probability of losing money when gambling.
Earlier in 2026, Spain unveiled its Safe Gambling Program for 2026 to 2030. The national strategy focuses on player protection and responsible gambling practices.
The country also introduced new identity verification checks for gaming operators this year. These checks are designed to strengthen compliance across the industry.
The public consultation remains open until June 22, 2026, and responses from citizens and organizations will help shape the final version of the reformed Gambling Regulation Act.
