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Legality of offline and online gambling
Spain is a multi-level jurisdiction where offline and online are regulated differently. The basic principle is simple: the land belongs to the autonomies, the Internet belongs to the state. This created a stable system with a clear division of powers, understandable license requirements and a strong responsible game agenda.
1) Offline: competence of autonomous communities
What is allowed.
Casinos (table games, roulette, blackjack, etc.) - under the licenses of the regions (Catalonia, Madrid, Andalusia, etc.).
Bingo halls are one of the most widespread formats, actively regulated at the level of autonomies.
Gaming parlors/lounges and bar machines (máquinas recreativas con premio, "tragaperras") - ubiquitous, but with regional limits on accommodation, time, payments and technical certification.
How oversight works.
Permits, inspections, technical conditions, distances to schools/social facilities are within the competence of regional administrations.
Age threshold: 18 +.
Many regions have their own registers of hall bans (synchronized with the national system for online).
The exception is lotteries.
SELAE (state lottery and betting) and ONCE (social lottery) are nationwide operators with a separate regime; their products are legal across the country and sold both offline and online.
2) Online: state level and uniform rules
Legal framework.
Carcass - Ley 13/2011 de Regulación del Juego.
The main regulator is DGOJ (Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego), under the Ministry of Consumption.
What can be online.
Sports betting (prematch/live).
Casino games, including online slots ("singular" licenses are allowed and issued).
Poker (since 2018 - total liquidity with a number of EU countries), online bingo, other permitted formats.
Online lotteries - only for SELAE and ONCE (state/social monopoly).
Licensing.
Two-tier system: general license (modality: bets/contests/other games) + singular licenses for specific types of games.
Required: technical certification, RNG/platform audit, KYC/AML procedures, data protection, reporting.
Responsible play.
RGIAJ Central Self-Exclusion Register: A player who lists himself cannot play with licensed online operators across the country.
RG tools in the interface: deposit/time limits, warnings, pauses, transparent account history.
3) Advertising and Communications
Advertising of online games is allowed only for licensed operators and according to strict rules (formats, time, labeling, ban on targeting minors, warning requirements).
Sports sponsorship and digital channel activity are limited; violators face fines and suspension of licenses.
"Gray" affiliates and offshore sites targeting Spain are considered illegal.
4) Payments and identification
Payments through identified bank/fintech channels are allowed; strict KYC is mandatory before deposits/withdrawals.
Suspicious operations are blocked according to AML rules; operators are required to store logs and provide reports to the regulator.
Payment methods in favor of unlicensed sites are a matter of restraint.
5) What is considered illegal
Any online gambling activity, without a DGOJ license, but aimed at Spanish players (site in Spanish, Spanish payments, marketing to Spain).
The use of offshore "mirrors," bypassing geo-restrictions, aggressive advertising in social networks without specifying a license.
For offline - work without regional permission, non-compliance with accommodation/access standards 18 +, technical parameters of machines.
6) Practical checklist of legality
Offline (region):- Autonomy license + compliance with its technical conditions.
- 18 + access control, local time/distance/consumer information regulations.
- General and "singular" DGOJ licenses; integration with RGIAJ.
- Platform certification (security, RNG, logging, reporting).
- Responsible Gaming, KYC/AML policies, correct advertising.
7) Short answers to common questions
Can I legally play online? Yes, licensed DGOJ operators; lotteries online - SELAE/ONCE only.
Are online slots allowed? Yes, if there is a "singular" license and technical requirements are met.
Is it possible offshore without a Spanish license? No - this is illegal and fraught with locks/fines.
Minimum age? 18 + for all legal formats.
Who checks? Online - DGOJ; offline - the corresponding autonomy (region).
Bottom line.
In Spain, both offline and online gambling formats are legal, but under different "umbrellas" of regulation. Offline - in the hands of autonomies; online - as part of Ley 13/2011 and DGOJ supervision. For the user, this means: play with licensed operators, check for a Spanish license, age filter and responsible play tools. For operators - a bet on compliance-by-design, transparent advertising and correct integration with national registries and payment rules.