Spain Targets Celebrity, Influencer Gambling Ads in Proposed Law Change

Spain Opens Review on Gambling Ads

Spain’s gambling regulator, the DGOJ, has started a public review. The plan may change how gambling ads appear online. According to official documents, the goal is better player protection. The review follows a 2024 court ruling that weakened earlier ad limits.

Spain’s Supreme Court removed parts of earlier advertising rules. That change pushed regulators to rethink the system. The review stays open until 22 June. Players, companies, and groups can give feedback.

Officials say current rules are 15 years old. Hence, they believe the law no longer fits online gambling.

Influencers and Ads Face New Limits

A key part of the plan targets influencers and celebrities. Spain may restrict how they promote gambling brands online. Officials worry younger users see too many gambling ads through social media. Nevertheless, details are still under discussion.

Gambling content could appear less in normal search results. This may apply unless users search for betting terms directly. Bonus offers are also under review. Regulators want tighter rules on promotions used to attract new players.

Key proposed changes include:

• Limits on influencer gambling ads

• Stronger rules on bonus promotions

• Lower search visibility for gambling content

• New tools for player protection

Wider Changes for Player Safety

Spain is also working on broader gambling reforms. These go beyond advertising rules. One idea is a system that detects risky gambling behavior early. Licensed operators would use real player data. Officials say this tool could improve detection by 10 percentage points. 

Another proposal adds warning messages to gambling ads. These warnings may look like health notices on cigarette packs. Some messages may include loss data. One figure suggests 75% of players lose money. Still, regulators say clearer warnings help players understand risks.

Illegal Gambling Raises Pressure

Spain also faces concerns about illegal gambling. Reports suggest the unlicensed market is still growing. One study estimates €231 million in illegal online gambling in 2024. That is about 16% of the legal market. Many users may not know they are using illegal sites.

Hence, regulators are pushing for stronger rules and better enforcement. The consultation is only the first step. But it may lead to major changes in Spain’s gambling advertising system.