Spain has officially launched its new Safe Gambling Program 2026-2030, a comprehensive multi-year strategy designed to enhance player protection and systematically prevent gaming-related harm over the next four years.
The ambitious roadmap was unveiled during a high-profile meeting of the Advisory Council on Safe Gambling at the headquarters of the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ) in Madrid.
The session was chaired by Mikel Arana, the Director General of the DGOJ. The council’s diverse assembly included key representatives from various government agencies, prestigious academic circles, leading health institutions, and major stakeholders from within the gaming industry. This collaborative effort signals a unified front in addressing the complexities of modern gambling.
A Paradigm Shift: From “Responsible” to “Safe”
Spain’s Safe Gambling Program 2026-2030 strategy represents a fundamental shift in Spain’s regulatory philosophy. Moving away from the traditional, more narrow concept of “responsible gambling,” the government is now championing a broader, consumer-centric “safe gambling” model. This transition is informed by recent amendments to the 2011 Gambling Act passed in 2020 and 2023, which laid the legal groundwork for a more interventionist approach to player safety.
By adopting a “safe gambling” framework, the DGOJ intends to proactively manage the evolving risks associated with digital gaming. The strategy is structured around three core pillars:
- Analysis and Diagnosis: Utilizing data to understand current gambling patterns.
- Prevention and Promotion: Actively encouraging healthy gaming habits.
- Participant Protection: Implementing direct safeguards for active users.
Evidence-Based Policy and Youth Protection
The program is built upon six general objectives and 24 specific measures. A standout feature is the integration of a dedicated scientific section. This division will ensure that all public policies regarding gambling disorder prevention are informed by rigorous research and evaluated for clinical effectiveness.
This commitment was further underscored by updates on research grants awarded under the 2025 call for projects, ensuring that Spain’s regulatory evolution remains strictly evidence-based.
Special emphasis has been placed on vulnerable populations, particularly the youth. New measures aim to minimize exposure to harmful marketing and digital behaviors that could lead to early-onset gambling issues. Furthermore, the DGOJ retains the power to adjust these measures in real-time as technology and industry trends shift, provided they consult with the Advisory Council.
