Spain online gambling license (DGOJ)
A large, mature EU market licensed by the DGOJ under Law 13/2011: general licenses per segment plus singular licenses per game, on a .es domain. General licenses open only in periodic calls, and none has opened since 2018, so most new entrants buy a licensed company or plan for the next call.
- Best for
- Established operators entering a large EU market
- Who can be licensed
- B2C operators, through DGOJ calls (none open now)
- Markets it serves
- EU regulated markets
Spain licenses online gambling through the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ) under Law 13/2011. Operators need a general license per segment (betting, contests or other games), valid for 10 years, plus a singular license for each game type. General licenses are only granted in calls opened by ministerial order; the last call closed in December 2018 and none is open in 2026, while a reform of the law is under way. New entrants therefore usually acquire an existing licensee. Foreign licenses are not accepted, and joint deposit limits across all operators apply from 25 March 2027.
- Status
- Awaiting next call
- Regulator
- Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego
- Legal basis
- Law 13/2011 on the Regulation of Gambling
- Status checked
- October 16, 2026
General and singular licenses
Spain licenses in two layers. A general license authorizes a segment of activity; singular licenses authorize each specific game within it. Lotteries are reserved to SELAE and ONCE.
General license
Per segment: betting, contests or other games (casino, slots, poker, bingo). Valid 10 years, renewable for another 10. Granted only in calls opened by ministerial order.
Singular licenses
One per game type, such as sports betting, roulette, blackjack, slots or poker. Valid 1 to 5 years and renewable; holders of the general license can apply at any time.
Not licensable
Lotteries (state reserve) and virtual betting. Foreign licenses do not allow serving players in Spain.
How to enter Spain while no call is open
General licenses cannot be requested at any time. These are the routes we assess for clients in 2026.
Acquire a licensee
Buy a Spanish or EEA company that holds general and singular licenses. Regulatory due diligence covers the licenses, homologation, sanctions and gaming tax, and the change of control must be reported to the DGOJ.
Prepare for the next call
Company, capital, operating plan and certifiable technology ready before the DGOJ opens the next call. The reform of Law 13/2011 is expected to come first.
Add singular licenses
Existing general license holders can add singular licenses for further games at any time, without waiting for a call.
Supply as B2B
Platforms, games and RNGs are certified by DGOJ-designated laboratories as part of the operator’s homologation. A supplier registry is proposed in the 2026 reform.
Who can hold a Spanish license
| Requirement | Under Law 13/2011 and the call conditions |
|---|---|
| Legal form | Spanish capital company (sociedad anónima) or an equivalent company from another EEA state |
| Corporate object | Gambling as the sole corporate object |
| Local presence | EEA companies appoint a permanent representative in Spain |
| Share capital | Fully paid-up share capital at the level set by the call conditions |
| Integrity and solvency | Fit and proper owners and directors, and proven economic, technical and professional solvency |
| Guarantees | Guarantees per license under the implementing rules, increased by RD 520/2026 |
| Website | Activity offered on a .es domain |
Technical and homologation requirements
Spain has one of the most detailed technical regimes in Europe. The license is provisional until the technical systems are homologated.
Homologation
The gaming platform, games, RNG and the connection with the DGOJ are certified by a designated laboratory. Definitive homologation is due within six months of the license.
Data warehouse
A data warehouse (almacén de datos) records player and game data and is accessible to the DGOJ in real time under its technical specifications.
Internal control system
An internal control system captures every transaction between players and the gaming platform.
.es domain
The licensed activity is offered from a .es domain, with access from Spain only through that site.
Recertification
Substantial changes to the systems require new certification, and security audits recur during the license.
Player identity
Identity verification against official records before play, and checks against the RGIAJ self-exclusion register.
How the setup runs
When a call is open, the DGOJ decides within six months of a complete application. Plan the company and technology before the call.
- 1StructureSpanish SA or EEA company with gambling as its sole object, paid-up capital and, for EEA companies, a representative in Spain.
- 2ApplicationGeneral license file under the call’s conditions: corporate, solvency, integrity, operating plan and technical project, plus guarantees.
- 3Singular licensesApplications for each game type, together with or after the general license.
- 4Provisional licenseGranted by the DGOJ, subject to homologation of the technical systems.
- 5Homologation and go-liveCertification by a designated laboratory and definitive homologation within six months; then live on the .es domain.
Ongoing obligations
- Gambling tax returns and payments, including regional rates where applicable
- Real-time data warehouse and internal control system accessible to the DGOJ
- RGIAJ checks, identity verification and the RD 176/2023 safer gambling duties
- Joint deposit limit checks from 25 March 2027
- Advertising rules of RD 958/2020 and DGOJ responsible gambling messages
- Recertification before substantial technical changes, and periodic security audits
- AML/CFT duties as an obliged entity under Law 10/2010
- Renewal of singular licenses before they expire
Safer gambling rules
Royal Decree 176/2023 sets Spain’s safer gambling framework; RD 520/2026 adds joint deposit limits.
RGIAJ
The General Register of Gambling Access Bans blocks self-excluded players across all licensed operators.
Joint deposit limits
From 25 March 2027, deposits are capped across all of a player’s accounts at €700 a day, €1,750 a week and €3,300 per four weeks, through a DGOJ system that operators check before accepting deposits.
Risk detection
Operators must detect at-risk behavior, restrict promotions to at-risk and young players, and act on the signals.
Session controls
Time and loss limits set before casino and slot sessions, and regular reality checks during play.
How online gambling is taxed
Gambling tax
20% of gross gaming revenue (stakes less prizes) for fixed-odds and exchange betting, casino, poker, bingo and most other games.
Pool betting
Mutual (pool) betting is taxed on stakes rather than on GGR.
Regional rates
Autonomous Communities may raise the rate for operators resident in their territory, by up to 20% of the state rate.
Corporate tax
Standard corporate income tax applies to profits; gambling services are VAT-exempt.
Advertising and bonuses
Broadcast window
Under RD 958/2020, betting and casino advertising on TV and radio is limited to 1:00 to 5:00 a.m.
Sponsorship
No shirt or kit sponsorship and no naming rights for sports teams or venues.
Bonuses
The Supreme Court annulled the ban on welcome bonuses in 2024. Promotions may not be presented as free and are barred for at-risk players.
2026 reform
The 2026 consultation on reforming Law 13/2011 floats bans on celebrity endorsements and sign-up bonuses and tighter social media limits.
Weighing Spain against other EU markets? Our European gambling license comparison covers all 27 member states: which products each licenses, the regulators, B2B rules and Finland's 2027 opening.
Compare EU marketsStatus as of October 2026: no general license call is open, and the public consultation on reforming Law 13/2011 closed on 22 June 2026. We track the next call for clients.
Ask about your caseFrequently asked questions
Can I apply for a Spanish online gambling license in 2026?
Not for a general license. General licenses are only granted in calls opened by ministerial order; the last call ran from December 2017 to December 2018, and none is open in 2026. Existing general license holders can still apply for singular licenses at any time.
Who regulates online gambling in Spain?
The Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ), under Law 13/2011. Lotteries are reserved to SELAE and ONCE.
What is the difference between a general and a singular license?
A general license authorizes a segment (betting, contests or other games) for 10 years, renewable. Singular licenses authorize each specific game type, such as sports betting, roulette, slots or poker, for 1 to 5 years.
Can a foreign company get a Spanish license?
A company from another EEA state can, if gambling is its sole corporate object and it appoints a permanent representative in Spain. Groups from outside the EEA use a Spanish or EEA subsidiary.
Can a Malta-licensed operator serve Spanish players?
No. Only DGOJ licensees may offer online gambling to players in Spain. Unlicensed sites are blocked, and very serious infringements are fined up to €50 million.
How can a new operator enter Spain now?
By acquiring a company that already holds DGOJ licenses, with regulatory due diligence and notice of the change of control, or by preparing a complete file for the next call.
How is online gambling taxed in Spain?
At 20% of gross gaming revenue for most products, with pool betting taxed on stakes. Autonomous Communities can raise the rate by up to 20% for operators resident there.
What are the 2027 deposit limits?
Royal Decree 520/2026 introduces joint deposit limits across all of a player’s accounts from 25 March 2027: €700 a day, €1,750 a week and €3,300 per four weeks.
Can gambling be advertised in Spain?
Yes, with heavy restrictions under RD 958/2020: TV and radio only from 1:00 to 5:00 a.m., no shirt sponsorship, and no promotions for at-risk players. The 2024 Supreme Court ruling restored welcome bonuses.
Do B2B suppliers need a Spanish license?
Not today. Supplier software, games and RNGs are certified by DGOJ-designated laboratories as part of the operator’s homologation. The 2026 reform proposes a registry of B2B suppliers.
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