For many years, we have heard Spain popularized the concept of gambling. Still, for the very first time, Spain has planned to introduce stringent ID verification requirements for Spain Gambling operators in order to prevent underage gambling, in other words, prevent minors from participating in gambling activities.
The Socialist Parliamentary Group (SPG), a body representing members of the Socialist Workers’ Party has emphasized that minors have increased their gambling participation which highlights the need for an early intervention.
The decision calls for a mandatory ID verification procedure in slots and other gambling machines, blocking self-excluded individuals and minors from participating. This move was taken based on a national study conducted in 2022 on addiction that stated that 21.5% of the players, aged between 14 to 18 years, gambled for money, either in person or online within that time period.
The initiative aligns with the broad efforts of the Spanish government to improve gambling protection and minimize the risks associated with problem gambling behavior.
Key Measures in the Proposal
On 27 January 2025, the Joint Commission for the Study of Addiction Problems approved the amendment forwarded by the SPG, which mandated identity verification for online gambling, stressing the importance of preventing long-term personal and social harm from gambling.
Spain has already enforced these procedures under anti-money laundering (AML), and know-your-customer (KYC) rules, and the regulations will soon extend the requirements to physical gambling venues to ensure strict enforcement across the industry.
According to SPG, “The participation of minors in gambling tends to increase with age, and early intervention is crucial to preventing long-term social and personal harm,”
The Spanish Ministry of Health prepared a report that suggested a fall in underage gambling participation and problem gambling rates, although concerns are persisting over the harmful risks of early gambling exposure.
Legislative Process and Industry Response
As mentioned above, the proposed amendments were approved by the Joint Commission for the Study of Addiction Problems, and the next step involves a debate in the Congress of Deputies along with a vote before they reach the Senate for final approval. The date, however, has not yet been set for the discussion in the Congress.
The gambling industry, which includes operators of both Spanish Casinos Online and land-based venues, is expected to adapt to the changes and remain compliant to operate legally in the country.
Many nations like the Netherlands have also tightened their rules due to concerns regarding early exposure to gambling, increasing the risks of long-term addiction. Overall, this initiative aligns with the global trends in gambling regulations.
With this, Spain is taking decisive action to prevent underage gambling through enhanced identity verification, regulatory enforcement, and other key measures reflecting a global shift towards a more stringent gambling environment to protect vulnerable players.
