Spain has enacted a royal decree that formally sets joint deposit limits for all licensed online gambling operators for the first time. The decree, advocated by the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and the 2030 Agenda, was approved during the Council of Ministers meeting on June 23, 2026. However, Jdigital, the association representing licensed online operators in Spain, has expressed its concern about this new regulation.
The recently introduced system replaces the previous framework, which allowed each operator to establish its own deposit limits. The new joint limits cap player deposits at three levels: €700 per day, €1,750 per week, and €3,300 every four weeks. Previously, players could exceed the limit set by any single operator by distributing their activity across multiple platforms. Jdigital acknowledged that the reform aims to close this loophole.
According to Jdigital, data from the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ) shows that approximately 80% of online players in Spain engage with only one operator. The association contends that the issue the new measure intends to address affects a relatively small portion of the market.
Additionally, Jdigital warned that implementing joint deposit limits could lead to a concentration of player activity among the largest operators, potentially harming competition and favoring established market players.
Jdigital also highlighted practical concerns regarding the technical demands of a centralized, real-time system that would need to track deposit activities across all licensed operators and manage thousands of players at once. The association cautioned that the scheme would impose substantial operational and technological costs on both the regulatory body and the industry, urging that any initial difficulties should not result in penalties for operators.
With growing apprehension, Jdigital called for a realistic timeline for implementation to allow businesses to adjust and requested justification for the necessity and proportionality of the measures.
The association reiterated its concern that ongoing restrictions have diminished the appeal of the regulated market, driving some players toward unlicensed operators. It pointed out that the Netherlands' recent experience with stricter player protection measures, which included imposing deposit limits and increasing gambling taxes, had led to a decline in the rate of channelization.
In a report commissioned by Jdigital, EY indicated that approximately one in four players access the illegal gambling market. Jdigital cautioned that additional restrictions could exacerbate this issue and undermine efforts aimed at consumer protection and market integrity.
The industry response indicates that the new limits may prompt further discussions between operators and authorities. Alongside the joint deposit limits, the DGOJ has recently committed €950,000 to a research fund focused on understanding gambling-related harm in six thematic areas.
Jdigital asserted its willingness to collaborate with public entities to develop effective and proportionate solutions that enhance consumer protection while ensuring a competitive and secure marketplace.
