Spain’s DGOJ Proposes New Ad Rules for Gambling Warnings
Spain’s Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ) has launched a 30-day public consultation on a draft resolution introducing new mandatory warning messages in gambling advertising. The proposal aims to enhance consumer protection by replacing general “responsible gaming” appeals with clearer, risk-focused messages and a visible reminder of the prohibition on gambling for minors.
New Mandatory Warning Messages in Gambling Advertising
The draft resolution requires all gambling advertisements to display messages highlighting the potential harm of gambling and risky behaviors, replacing the previous focus on players’ personal responsibility. It introduces strict technical criteria such as font size, color contrast, and screen placement to ensure these warnings are clear and legible across all types of media. A mandatory notice banning minors from participation must also appear consistently in every advertisement, regardless of format or channel.
The DGOJ emphasizes that these changes aim to align all operators with a uniform national standard for responsible communication. The 30-day public consultation period allows stakeholders to submit feedback before final approval. Once adopted, the rules will become legally binding following publication in Spain’s official state bulletin.
Implications for Operators and Industry Stakeholders
Licensed gambling operators in Spain will need to revise all promotional materials – including banners, videos, and app interfaces – to meet the new specifications. The update represents a significant operational shift, requiring design, marketing, and compliance teams to work together on a unified implementation strategy. The proposal builds upon Law 13/2011 and Royal Decree 958/2020, which regulate commercial communications within the Spanish gambling market.
Industry associations and the public are encouraged to provide comments or propose amendments during the consultation phase. The final regulation is expected to be published within three months, after which operators must ensure full compliance. This initiative signals Spain’s continued move toward a more standardized and transparent advertising framework for the iGaming sector.
