Spain Plans Fee to Fund New AML Agency

The Spanish Council of Ministers approved the draft law at first reading on 28 July 2026. It would create the National Authority for Financial Integrity, known as ANIFI.

The draft would create ANIFI and transfer responsibilities from two existing public bodies:

• SEPBLAC (Spain's financial intelligence unit)

• The Secretariat of COPBLAC (Spain's anti-money laundering commission)

This includes financial intelligence, inspections and penalties for breaking anti-money laundering rules.

How the New Authority Would Work

Online casinos handle money through frequent deposits and withdrawals, which creates a risk of money laundering. Licensed operators must therefore verify customers, monitor unusual activity and report suspicious transactions.

ANIFI would check that operators follow these rules, conduct inspections and issue penalties for violations. The agency would also become Spain’s main contact with the EU Anti-Money Laundering Authority.

Spain’s current gambling regulator, the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ), would remain responsible for licences and other gambling rules.

Possible Market Impact

ANIFI would receive funding through a levy on banks, gambling operators and other licensed businesses. A limited share of the fines it collects would also support its work.

Spain has not decided how much each operator would pay or how it would calculate the fee. The levy would add to the cost of operating legally in the country. Smaller brands may reconsider entering or remaining in Spain if the final charge is high.

This could leave more room for unlicensed casinos, although stronger AML monitoring may also help authorities trace their payment activity.

Spain is not the only European country increasing financial checks on gambling companies. Ireland recently announced a similar plan to strengthen AML controls across its gambling sector.