Spain's licensed online gambling operators must now adhere to stricter anti-money laundering regulations aimed at guaranteeing that the name of a gaming account holder matches the name linked to any payment method they utilize for deposits and withdrawals. This mandate, introduced through Royal Decree 813/2026, was published on October 8 and modifies 11 existing royal decrees related to the financial sector, specifically those concerning identity verification in Spain’s anti-money laundering laws.
Under this new regulation, a verified gaming account alone is insufficient; every method of payment—be it a credit card, bank account, or online payment gateway—must be associated with the player’s identity. Operators and players are given six months to implement these changes. New accounts must comply immediately, while existing players have until April 28, 2027, to verify their payment methods.
During this transitional phase, existing users can continue to deposit and play, but they will be unable to withdraw any winnings until their payment details have been verified. If, by the deadline, no verified connection is established, operators are required to close the non-compliant accounts, notify the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ), and refund the total account balance, including any withheld winnings.
This new measure aims to combat identity impersonation, an issue that saw a significant uptick, rising 12% in 2025 to reach 8,675 complaints, according to EFE.
The implications for operators are substantial, requiring them to develop efficient technical solutions to verify the identity behind each payment method utilized by players. This process must also be completed for existing customer accounts, necessitating that those who have used payment methods registered in the names of others—such as a partner or family member—switch to accounts in their own names to facilitate any cashouts.
This verification process is likely to create complications, as withdrawals may be halted until the necessary checks are finalized, potentially leading to an increased volume of complaints and support inquiries from players eager to access their funds. Currently, there is a lack of specific guidance for operators on how to implement these changes. The online gambling association Jdigital has requested the authorities to issue a detailed interpretative guide for clarity on compliance procedures, according to Sector del Juego.
The urgency of the situation is intensified as this deadline comes just one month after Spain is set to implement national deposit limits—capping spending across all platforms at €700 per day, expected to roll out in March 2027. Additionally, the decree expands upon a previous directive proposed by the DGOJ, which required at-risk players to use payment methods registered in their name; this requirement will now extend to all players.
