Spain Sets the Stage for Safer Gambling with New Advisory Council and 2026–2030 Action Plan
Spain’s Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ) has formally reassembled its Responsible Gambling Advisory Council and introduced a new draft strategy aimed at guiding the country’s gambling safety policies through 2030.
Renewed Council Brings Together Stakeholders Across Sectors
The Responsible Gambling Advisory Council held its inaugural meeting in Madrid on June 19 following the conclusion of the previous term in May. Now operating under a refreshed mandate, the council is once again chaired by DGOJ Director General Mikel Arana.
As in previous iterations, the group brings together a broad mix of stakeholders from Spain’s central government, regional authorities, academia, healthcare, and gambling addiction research.
It also includes representatives from gambling operators and sector-related institutions, ensuring input from all corners of the regulated ecosystem.
Focus Shifts to the 2026–2030 Safer Gambling Agenda
A central point on the council’s agenda was the presentation of the draft Programa de Juego Seguro 2026–2030, Spain’s upcoming strategic plan for safer gambling. The draft sets out a comprehensive framework for public policy over the next four years, structured around three core pillars: an updated diagnostic assessment of the current environment, prevention and promotion of safer gambling practices, and strengthened participant protection.
The strategy outlines six general objectives and proposes 22 specific measures. These range from data-driven monitoring tools to collaborative initiatives between regulators and the newly appointed council members.
Consultation Phase Begins
The draft document presented during the meeting will now undergo a three-month consultation period. Members of the renewed council have until autumn to review the plan and submit amendments.
The final version is expected to be approved in the next scheduled session, at which point it will serve as the government’s official roadmap for gambling harm prevention through 2030.