The Spanish Gaming Commission’s Role
Spain’s Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling is part of the Ministry of Finance and reports to the State Secretary of Finance. Its responsibilities include issuing gambling licences, collecting fees and reporting on funds reserved for lotteries.
Its remit goes beyond granting casino licences. The commission can act against illegal gambling and begin disciplinary proceedings when licensed operators fail to follow the rules.
The commission also commissions and conducts research into gambling’s effects on individuals and society. It uses media and public information campaigns to raise awareness of gambling-related concerns and encourage responsible play.
Licence Categories
The commission issues three kinds of gambling authorization:
- A general licence, valid for up to ten years.
- A single licence, renewable for a term of one to five years.
- Permits for occasional activities, with varying validity periods.
Casino operators typically require a general licence as well as any applicable single licences. The general licence authorizes online gambling, while each type of game offered needs its own single licence. An operator can apply for a single licence with its general application or at a later date. A single licence is required before accepting bets on:
- Sports betting
- Horse racing
- Contests
- Poker
- Bingo
- Roulette
- Blackjack
- Complementary games
- Slots
Bacarrat
Operator Requirements
Applicants seeking a Spanish online gambling licence are expected to meet requirements such as:
- Every casino software product must be fully tested by a laboratory approved by the commission.
- Maintaining a “gambling central unit” that authorities can access for oversight.
- Restricting wagers to Spanish citizens.
- Submitting an operational plan for the commission’s review.
- Operators must be established as Spanish public limited companies. An online casino operator also needs a domain ending in es.
Applicants face licensing charges, while casino operators also pay a 1% administrative fee and must keep their taxes up to date. Depending on the type of operation, tax rates range from 10% to 25%.
How Licensing Works
An operator seeking a licence submits an application with specified financial and legal records. The application must also include a preliminary certification report prepared by an independent laboratory approved by the commission.
Once the application is accepted, the operator receives a provisional licence, allowing the online casino to launch while final certification is pending. The final report is due within four months of approval. After receiving it, the commission can issue the full licence.
What a Spanish Licence Means
In Spain, the Spanish Gaming Commission has broad powers to supervise gambling businesses. It applies consistent standards intended to promote operator compliance and address problem gambling. A Spanish licence indicates an operator’s standing within Spain’s regulatory system; on its own, it does not show that the operator is authorized in Canada. Casinos reported to hold a Spanish licence include bet365, Betsson, William Hill and Interwetten.
