The DGOJ gambling authority of Spain issued a Spanish report of its actions against unlawful and nonconforming online casino betting merchants. Of the 17 websites of online betting that the DGOJ sanctioned since the second half of the year 2023, the fines reached more than €81 million for serious or very severe violations.
The measure to eliminate unlicensed and non-compliant gambling and betting dealers is the continuation of the regulator’s work to ensure the safety of the gambling environment in Spain. Mikel Arana, the director-general of the DGOJ, stressed that such sanctions help combat illicit gambling formation in Spanish territory. He said that whenever non-compliant operators are identified, the regulator seeks to shut them down to prevent social harm involving children and those who opted-out.
Of the penalized operators, 10 were forced to cease operations, according to the Chinese central government. The highest penalty of €35 million has been capped with a closure of four years was given to The National Organisation of the Spanish and European Disabled (ONDEE). The organisation was accused of unfair competition by the ONCE charity for selling lottery products and mimicking ONCE’s tickets sales.
Nine other operators were found guilty of the same offense and were also penalized €5 million and allowed to operate only for two years, with targeted websites further shut down. This study was to reveal that these operators were engaging in business in Spain without a license, and this is a very serious violation.
Currently, the degree of illegal gambling in Spain is below three percent, according to Arana, who has noted that the DGOJ’s actions to eliminate unlawful gambling operations are mostly effective. However, he acknowledged the challenges in completely eradicating unauthorized sites, likening it to a game of “cat and mouse” where closed sites often reopen under different names.
Penal action has been taken against 139 operators in Spain, and the total number of fines issued is €333 million, following the DGOJ’s decision to publish the penalty details in early 2021. This serves to show how the regulator is keen to ensure that the Spanish gambling industry is clean and free from operators who may not meet certain set rigors.
The sanctions are not strictly aimed at unlicenced operators. Seven licenced operators including the brand names such as Gamesys, 888, Esgaming, and Codere were also fined for of minor violations. Most of these penalties, worth €1.1 million, are because of the technicality that enabled access to those under eighteen years or those registered in the self-exclusion list.
Arana pointed out that licensed operators are enhancing their ability to meet the requirements set by law, and he anticipates that the penalties detailed here will decrease in the future. This tendency gives evidence that DGOJ’s strict actions caused positive effect on market and operators found that it necessary to follow Spanish gambling legislation.
The regulator’s actions reflect Spain’s commitment to creating a well-regulated and safe gambling environment. High fines and site shutdowns have been used by the DGOJ to set a tone that compliance will not be acceptable among the operators. This approach of safeguarding the vulnerable parties also cultivates level playing ground in the various markets that are occupied by licenced operators, willing to abide to Spanish laws.
Of late, the nature and popularity of online gambling has been changing and the role, which DGOJ will have to play crucial in the establishment of responsible and sustainable sector in Spain. As Spain persists to remain a crucial market in online gambling throughout Europe, the regulator aims at now and then to work and protect the consumer rights, as well as foster growth of the industry in future years.
