The Spanish Gambling Regulatory Authority announced this week the launch of the new "2026-2030 Safe Gambling Plan," aimed at strengthening protections for minors through an adjustable multi-year action plan, which includes assessing the impact of social media marketing on teenagers. The plan was officially announced at a recent Safe Gambling Advisory Committee meeting in Madrid, focusing on three main priorities, supplemented by six overall objectives and 24 specific measures. In plain terms, it means that regulation needs to keep up with the new era, to see how much short videos and internet celebrities have led young people astray.
Policy Background: Surge in young players, digital innovation as a double-edged sword
Since 2019, the market has undergone significant changes, DGOJ emphasized in the announcement: revenue continues to be concentrated among a few large operators, and the online gambling participation rate of young groups (especially those aged 18 to 25) has significantly increased. At the same time, rapid technological innovation has amplified the influence of social media, video games, and artificial intelligence in industry marketing strategies and product design. To establish the necessary evidence base, DGOJ has launched a 1 million euros research funding program in May 2025.
Core Measures: Data monitoring, preventive education, and protection tools all in one
The new plan will focus on studying the impact of social media on gambling behavior and develop standardized mechanisms for detecting risky online gambling behavior. In terms of preventive education, it will compile an international and regional gambling policy catalog, study the association between game structure characteristics and addictive behavior, and produce public guides on risky behaviors and directories of help services. The plan also emphasizes strengthening cooperation with treatment institutions, incorporating gambling monitoring into the national addiction framework, and conducting educational campaigns for vulnerable groups such as young players and heavy gamers. Consumer protection tools such as a national self-exclusion registry, phishing alert services, and victim agreements for identity misuse will also be promoted.
Regulatory Assessment: Royal Decree impacts considered
In recent years, Spanish regulation has continued to tighten, with Royal Decree No. 958 of 2020 and Royal Decree No. 176 of 2023 implementing stricter controls on advertising, betting duration, payment limits, and account suspension agreements. Last year, Spain mandated online gambling platforms to display addiction warnings like tobacco, triggering industry backlash. The new plan promises to assess the implementation effects of these two Royal Decrees and their coordination with EU directives and international regulatory frameworks. Want to know the latest developments in European gambling regulation? PASA official website keeps track.
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