Spain Cracks Down on Online Gambling Operators with Massive Fines
The Spanish Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs, and Agenda 2030, through its Directorate General for Gambling Regulation (DGOJ), has levied substantial fines totaling EUR 142.721.000 (USD 161.7 million) on online gambling and betting operators in Spain during 2024. This action underscores the government’s commitment to enforcing regulations within the burgeoning iGaming sector.
Minister Pablo Bustinduy’s office revealed that the hefty sum was accumulated following the imposition of fines exceeding EUR 77.396.000 (USD 87.6 million) in the second half of last year alone. The first half of the year saw operators sanctioned for EUR 65.325.000 (USD 71.7 million).
According to details released, the DGOJ, the regulatory body overseeing Spain’s online gambling industry, penalized 26 operators in the latter half of 2024.
Foreign Operators Face Stiff Penalties
A significant portion of the fines targeted 14 foreign operators found to be operating in Spain without the necessary licenses. These violations were classified as “very serious offenses,” resulting in substantial financial penalties. Repeat offenders were fined EUR 10 million (USD 11.3 million), while other unlicensed operators faced fines of EUR 5 million (USD 5.7 million).
Beyond the monetary penalties, these operators also face the closure of their web portals and a two-year ban from operating in Spain.
The 14 foreign operators sanctioned for these severe infractions are:
- Wot NV
- Magicwin games tech LTD
- Winbet NV
- Spicyjactpos games tech LTS
- Lama tech limitada
- Chestoption sociedad de responsabilidad limitada
- Pennytech holding BV
- Group gaem BV
- Mibs NV
- Fgs software solutions S.R.L
- Investan NV
- Tinietech holding B.V
- Adonio N.V
- Techsolutions group N.V
Licensed Operators Also Fined
The DGOJ also took action against 12 companies holding licenses to operate in Spain. These operators were penalized for various infractions of the Gambling Regulation Law. These violations were deemed “serious offenses,” resulting in fines totaling EUR 2.396.000 (USD 2.7 million).
The companies sanctioned for these infractions are:
- Millonapp SL
- Casumo Spain PLC
- Bingosoft PLC
- Wagerfair SA
- Media 24
- Juegos de azar y servicios S.L
- Conespa solutions
- TSG interactive PLC
- Whg Spain PLC
- Fpoocl S.A
- 888 online games España SA
A History of Enforcement
The ministry emphasized that since the last amendment to the law in July 2021, the number of sanctions has reached 180 in three and a half years, amounting to a total of over EUR 475 million (USD 538.1 million) in fines. This demonstrates a consistent and robust approach to regulating the online gambling sector in Spain.
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