Spain’s licensed online gambling operators are now required to ensure that the individual who holds a gaming account is also the individual associated with the payment methods used for deposits and withdrawals. This new mandate comes as part of Royal Decree 813/2026, which was published on October 8 and issued by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Business. This decree modifies 11 existing financial-sector decrees, particularly adjusting the identity verification protocols outlined in Spain’s anti-money laundering regulations.
Under the new rules, a verified gaming account alone is insufficient. Operators must establish a direct link between each payment card, bank account, or payment gateway and the player.
Operators and players are given a six-month period to comply with the new requirements. According to EFE, while the verification must be applied to new accounts immediately, existing players have until April 28, 2027, to complete the process. During this transition phase, existing customers may continue to deposit funds and play, but they will be barred from withdrawing any winnings until verification is accomplished. If verification is not obtained by the deadline, operators are obligated to terminate the account, inform the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ), and refund the entire balance, including any winnings that have been withheld.
This measure aims to combat rising identity impersonation cases, which increased by 12% in 2025, reaching a total of 8,675 complaints.
For operators, the immediate focus shifts to logistical preparations. It is imperative for their platforms to establish a means to verify the identity of every individual associated with cards, bank accounts, and e-wallets utilized by players for financial transactions. Before the April deadline, operators will also have to manage their existing customer bases. Players who have been wagering using a relative’s or partner’s payment method must transition to a payment method registered in their own name before being permitted to withdraw any funds.
Such a shift could lead to operational friction, as blocking withdrawals during verification might spark additional complaints and support inquiries during a time when players are eager to access their funds.
Operators face the challenge of moving forward without comprehensive guidance. The online gambling association Jdigital has formally requested that authorities release a detailed interpretive guide to enhance clarity and legal assurance, according to Sector del Juego.
The timing is particularly critical as the April deadline is set to coincide with the anticipated rollout of Spain’s national deposit limits, which will restrict total spending across all operators to €700 per day, scheduled to take effect in March 2027. The new decree also broadens a principle the DGOJ had previously proposed only for high-risk players, extending the requirement for players to use payment methods registered in their own name to all players, not just those flagged as at risk.
Jdigital has been reached out to for further comments on this development.
