Spain regulates online gambling under Ley 13/2011 and Royal Decree 958/2020, with DGOJ as licensing authority. RD 958/2020's restrictions on welcome bonuses, celebrity endorsements and general online advertising were partially annulled by the Tribunal Supremo (Supreme Court) in April 2024; the 01:00–05:00 television advertising watershed remains in force.
Licensing authority: Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ)
Key facts
- Governing law: Ley 13/2011, de regulación del juego; Real Decreto 958/2020 (advertising)
- Regulator: Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ)
- Licensed operators (register): 77 legal entities holding an active licence, per DGOJ's public register (consulted 08/07/2026) — see our DGOJ dataset
- Self-exclusion register: RGIAJ (Registro General de Interdicciones de Acceso al Juego), mandatory nationwide
- Bonus advertising: Welcome-bonus advertising restrictions partially annulled 04/2024 (Tribunal Supremo); verify DGOJ's current guidance before relying on specifics
Regulatory timeline
- — Ley 13/2011, de regulación del juego, is enacted, creating Spain's national online-gambling licensing framework. (Source)
- — Real Decreto 958/2020, regulating commercial gambling communications, is published — restricting welcome-bonus advertising, celebrity/influencer endorsements and untargeted online advertising. (Source)
- — The Tribunal Supremo partially annuls RD 958/2020, striking down the welcome-bonus, celebrity-endorsement and general online-advertising restrictions while leaving the TV/radio advertising watershed (01:00–05:00) in force. (Source)
Frequently asked questions
Which authority licenses online gambling in Spain?
The Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ), part of Spain's Ministry of Finance, under Ley 13/2011.
Is Spain's welcome-bonus advertising ban still in force?
No — the Tribunal Supremo partially annulled that restriction in April 2024. Verify DGOJ's current published guidance before relying on the exact current rule.