Spain’s General Directorate for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ) published a new update on its latest regulatory initiatives, saying that it has handed millions of euros in fines to 14 gambling operators.
The Body Penalized Unlicensed Operators
Per the announcement, the DGOJ has handed a total of EUR 77.4 million ($87.5 million) in penalties to 14 operators who offered gambling to local players despite lacking a license. Fines ranged in size from EUR 5 million to EUR 10 million, with most companies receiving the former penalty for their illegal offering, and a single company receiving the latter because of more severe violations.
According to the announcement, the companies in question included the following:
- Adonio
- Chestoption
- FGS Software
- Group Gaem
- Investan
- Lama Tech
- Magicwin Games Tech
- Mibs
- Pennytech
- Spicyjactpos
- Techsolutions
- Tinietech
- Winbet
- Wot
In addition to being fined, the fourteen companies have been banned from participating in Spain’s iGaming market for the next two years.
Not the First Time the Regulator Has Penalized Violators
A spokesperson for the DGOJ commented on the sanctions, saying that they are in line with the regulator’s continued effort to safeguard the integrity of the regulated Spanish market. The DGOJ reiterated its commitment to strict regulation, robust customer protection and compliance with the country’s gaming landscape.
The company spokesperson added that the regulator will not hesitate to take action against parties that threaten the safety of Spanish players.
This isn’t the first time the DGOJ has taken action against the unlicensed market either and is the latest in a series of similar regulatory crackdowns.
DGOJ Remains Committed to the Market’s Integrity
The fines come in the wake of a record-breaking year for the Spanish iGaming sector. In 2024, The Southwestern European country reported significant growth in online gambling gross gaming revenue, highlighting a favorable period for legal operators.
The DGOJ’s earlier report outlined a GGR of EUR 1.45 billion for the period, demonstrating Spanish gaming’s strength.
Because of this growth, however, the DGOJ has also recognized the importance of shielding the regulated market from illegal activity and preventing operators from being used to launder money or sponsor terrorism. As a result, the DGOJ held an AML meeting in January, during which stakeholders and regulators discussed the future of gaming.
In March, the DGOJ also warned about the dangers of identity theft associated with online gambling and recommended the adoption of the fairly fresh PACS protocol.