Spain’s New Gambling Research Push: A Blueprint for Global Regulation
Spain is sharpening its focus on the intersection of digital gaming and betting. With the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and Agenda 2030 launching a fresh competitive grant programme worth over €950,000, the message is clear: data-driven policy is the new gold standard for gambling regulation.
As the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ) rolls out its 2026-2030 Safe Gambling Programme, the industry is bracing for a shift that prioritizes the protection of younger demographics and the mitigation of “hybrid” gaming harms.
The Convergence Crisis: When Gaming Meets Gambling
The boundary between video games and gambling has never been thinner. Features like loot boxes and social casino mechanics have sparked intense debate among regulators. The DGOJ is now prioritizing research into how these features may normalize gambling behaviors among minors and young adults.
Recent data underscores the urgency. Since the introduction of the 2020 Royal Decree, which tightened restrictions on advertising, the number of new online gambling accounts in Spain dropped from 3.01 million in 2020 to 1.35 million in 2023—a 55% decrease. This suggests that aggressive regulatory intervention can indeed curb the rapid influx of new players into the ecosystem.
The DGOJ’s research grants are not just for academics. Public and private universities, health institutions, and non-profit organizations are all encouraged to apply, provided they have an established research remit in gambling studies.
Shifting Marketing Tides: The Influencer Dilemma
The regulatory landscape in Spain is a volatile one. After a 2024 court ruling overturned previous bans on the use of influencers and famous people in gambling advertisements, the government is back at the drawing board.
The current public consultation aims to tighten these rules once again. The goal is a “pull” rather than “push” marketing strategy: ads would only appear when a consumer explicitly searches for a betting brand. This marks a significant move toward a more controlled, consent-based digital environment.
Research Priorities: What Comes Next?
The industry is watching the six core thematic lines of the current grant scheme closely. These priorities provide a roadmap for where global regulations are heading:
- Early Detection: Identifying risky behaviors before they escalate into severe addictions.
- Financial & Mental Impact: A holistic look at how gambling affects not just the player, but their family and social standing.
- Gender-Specific Interventions: Recognizing that gambling harm impacts demographic groups differently, requiring tailored, rather than one-size-fits-all, policies.
- Structural Business Analysis: Examining the mechanics of poker, betting, and lotteries to understand their inherent risks.
For operators and researchers, the focus on “gender-sensitive research” is a massive indicator of future compliance requirements. Start auditing your own data sets to see if you can identify unique harm patterns across different genders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the Spanish gambling research grants?
Eligible entities include public and private universities, university institutes, health entities affiliated with the National Health System, and non-profit organizations with a documented research focus on gambling.
What is the main goal of the DGOJ’s 2026-2030 Safe Gambling Programme?
The program focuses on early detection of harm, the impact of hybrid gaming features (like loot boxes) on youth, and the development of tools to minimize the stigma surrounding gambling addiction.
Why is the Spanish government revisiting influencer marketing in gambling?
Following the overturning of previous restrictions in 2024, the government is seeking to re-establish stricter controls to protect vulnerable users from normalization of gambling via social media and influencer endorsements.
What do you think is the most effective way to protect younger players in the digital age? Share your thoughts in the comments below or subscribe to our weekly industry newsletter to stay updated on the latest regulatory shifts.
Related reading