The General Directorate for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ) has announced a significant crackdown on illegal gambling operations in Spain, imposing a total of €77.4 million in fines. This penalty comes as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen consumer protection and ensure strict adherence to Spain’s gambling laws. The sanctions, covering 14 separate gambling operators, represent the regulator’s commitment to protecting players from unauthorized operators and maintaining a safe online gaming environment.
A breakdown of the penalties reveals that 13 of the 14 operators have been hit with a €5 million fine each for violating Spain’s gambling regulations. These fines were imposed for operating without a proper license, which is considered a very serious breach under Spanish law. One of these companies, which was found to have repeated offenses, has been levied a higher fine of €10 million. In addition to these financial penalties, the affected operators have been permanently banned from operating in Spain for a minimum of two years.
Operators Facing Major Penalties
The sanctioned operators involved in this crackdown include a mix of foreign companies, all accused of providing unlicensed gambling services to Spanish players. The names of the affected companies are: Wot NV, Magicwin Games Tech LTD, Winbet NV, Spicyjactpos Games Tech LTS, Lama Tech Limited, Chestoption Limited Liability Company, Pennytech Holding BV, Group Gaem BV, Mibs NV, Fgs Software Solutions SRL, Investan NV, Tinietech Holding BV, Adonio NV, and Techsolutions Group NV. These operators have been found in violation of Article 39.a) of the Gambling Regulation Law (LRJ), which mandates that gambling companies operating in Spain must hold a valid license.
The DGOJ has stated that these measures reflect its dedication to ensuring that all gambling operators follow the legal framework established to protect consumers. The sanctions aim to prevent any further risk to Spanish players by removing these unlicensed operators from the market and reinforcing the regulator’s efforts to safeguard player interests.
Challenges to Spain’s Gambling Market
The DGOJ’s decision follows a broader push by the Spanish government to combat illegal gambling. With increasing incidents of operators offering unauthorized gambling services, Spain has focused on tightening regulatory enforcement to preserve the integrity of its online gaming environment. In addition to the €77.4 million in fines, the regulator has implemented a strict ban on the affected websites, preventing them from reentering the Spanish market for at least two years.
Interestingly, this announcement also comes shortly after the DGOJ’s first-ever gaming sector Anti-Money Laundering (AML) meeting held in February 2025. This event gathered various gaming representatives and regulatory bodies from across Spain, highlighting the importance of stronger regulation and collaboration within the gambling industry. The DGOJ’s continued focus on strengthening regulatory oversight is seen as essential for maintaining Spain’s reputation as a secure and fair gambling jurisdiction.
Further Sanctions on Licensed Operators
The DGOJ has also taken action against 11 licensed operators who failed to meet certain regulatory standards set by the LRJ. These companies were fined a total of €2.4 million for serious violations. The names of the operators sanctioned include: Millonapp SL, Bingosoft PLC, Wagerfair SA, Media 24, Juegos de Azar y Servicios SL, Conespa Solutions, TSG Interactive PLC, WHG Spain PLC, Fpoocl SA, and 888 Online Games España SA. These additional sanctions emphasize the regulator’s commitment to upholding the legal framework not only for unlicensed operators but also for licensed entities, ensuring compliance with Spain’s gambling regulations.
Commitment to Consumer Protection and Responsible Gaming
The DGOJ’s actions demonstrate a clear focus on safeguarding Spanish players and ensuring that the gambling environment remains fair, secure, and fully compliant with the law. In its press release, the regulator reaffirmed that these sanctions are part of its ongoing effort to protect consumers from unauthorized operators who put players at risk.
As the DGOJ continues to address these challenges, the importance of regulatory transparency and accountability within Spain’s gambling sector remains critical. With the industry seeing strong growth in recent years—evidenced by the 17.6% year-on-year increase in online gambling revenue in 2024—ensuring the integrity of the market through tough enforcement measures will likely remain a top priority for the regulator moving forward.
Source:
DGOJ refuerza lucha contra juego ilegal en España, Ordenación Juego, May 6, 2025
