Spain’s Ministry for Consumer Affairs has introduced sweeping changes to the nation’s online gambling regulations, mandating that all operators display addiction warnings modeled after tobacco health labels. The new rules, incorporated under Royal Decree 958/2020, aim to promote responsible gambling and raise awareness of addiction risks.
The warnings must appear on digital gaming platforms, marketing materials, and social media ads, replacing standard messages like “Play responsibly.” New statements such as “Gambling addiction is a risk of gambling” and “Losses for all gamblers are four times greater than their winnings” are now mandatory across Spain’s licensed operators.
Announcing the reform at a safer gambling event, Minister for Social Rights Pablo Bustinduy said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to prevention, noting that protecting citizens should be a collective responsibility. The measure was informed by the Ministry for Health’s 2024 National Drug Plan report, which found gambling addiction accounted for 82% of treatment admissions in 2022.
However, the market’s main trade association, JDigital, has voiced concerns, arguing that likening gambling to tobacco is “unreasonable” given the extensive regulatory framework already governing Spain’s online sector. Despite criticism, the reform signals a broader trend toward more stringent consumer protection standards across Europe.
Meanwhile, Spain’s Congress is debating additional measures, including the reinstatement of bans on celebrity endorsements and youth-targeted promotional offers policies previously introduced and partially lifted in recent years. If approved, these steps could further redefine Spain’s iGaming marketing landscape and influence other European markets considering similar reforms.
