Spain's online gambling operators are now required to verify that the individual who holds a gaming account is the same person listed on any payment method used for transactions. This new regulation, which came into effect on Wednesday, is part of Royal Decree 813/2026, published on 8 October by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Business. This decree amends 11 existing financial regulations, specifically targeting identity verification under Spain's anti-money laundering laws.
Under the new rules, merely having a verified gaming account is insufficient. Each payment card, bank account, or e-wallet must be linked directly to the player's name.
The decree provides both operators and players a six-month adaptation period. As reported by EFE news agency, the identity checks must begin immediately for new customer accounts, whereas existing account holders have until 28 April 2027 to comply. During this adjustment period, current players can deposit funds and continue playing; however, they will be unable to withdraw their winnings until their identity verification is completed. If an account does not meet the verification requirement by the deadline, operators are obligated to close the account, inform the DGOJ (Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego), and return the total balance, including any withheld winnings.
This initiative aims to combat the rising trend of identity impersonation, with complaints related to this issue increasing by 12% in 2025, totaling 8,675 incidents.
For operators, the new requirement presents a substantial technical challenge. They need to implement robust methods for confirming the name associated with every payment method a player uses for both deposits and withdrawals. Additionally, operators will have to address their existing customer base before the April deadline. Customers who have been using the payment methods of relatives or partners must transition to accounts registered in their own names before they can withdraw funds.
This verification process may lead to complications, as it restricts withdrawals until identity checks are satisfactorily completed, likely resulting in increased complaints and support requests precisely when players are eager to access their money.
Operators are operating without comprehensive guidance from authorities. Jdigital, the online gambling association, has requested the issuance of an interpretive guide to clarify the new regulations and ensure legal certainty, according to Sector del Juego.
The new regulations come at a challenging time, as the April deadline coincides with the anticipated launch of Spain's national deposit limits in March 2027. These limits will restrict spending to €700 per day across all operators.
Moreover, the decree broadens a requirement previously suggested only for at-risk players, mandating that all customers now use payment methods registered in their own names, an adjustment that further emphasizes the need for identity verification.
