Spain's new Safe Gaming Program 2026-2030 revolutionizes user
The Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ) has formally presented the Safe Gambling Program 2026-2030, a strategic document that redefines public protection policies in Spain for the next half-decade. This plan not only continues the strategy initiated in 2013 but also deepens the transition from the concept of "responsible gambling" to "safe gambling," placing the participant at the center of all protective and preventive measures. With a comprehensive and flexible approach, the administration seeks to anticipate the risks of a constantly evolving digital market, marked by the emergence of new technologies such as artificial intelligence and the growing influence of social media.
The program arises from an analysis of the structural reality of the Spanish market, where a high concentration of income is observed in a very small percentage of users, as well as the appearance of new profiles of young players with differentiated consumption patterns. To address this scenario, the DGOJ has structured its actions into three strategic priorities that break down a total of 24 specific measures aimed at minimizing the harms associated with the activity and strengthening the legal security of the ecosystem.
Priority 1: Analysis and diagnosis as the basis for regulation
The first priority of the plan seeks to consolidate scientific and statistical knowledge about the incidence of gambling in Spanish society. To this end, ten technical measures have been defined, including the preparation of a compendium of studies on social impact and an in-depth analysis of prevalence data from recent years, with special attention to vulnerable groups and young people. The objective is to have accurate diagnoses that allow for informed and effective decision-making.
One of the most ambitious projects within this block is the implementation of the Online Risk Gambling Detection Mechanism. This system, protected by Royal Decree 176/2023, will establish common and mandatory parameters for all operators, ensuring that the detection of anomalous behaviors is not subject to disparate interpretations among companies. Likewise, specific studies will be carried out on the structural design of games and their addictive potential, in addition to analyzing how the presence of operators on social media impacts citizens' perception of risk. The gender perspective will also be a central axis, evaluating how gambling disorders affect men and women differently.
Priority 2: Active prevention and control tools
The second priority focuses on direct prevention and strengthening social awareness. Among the five measures designed for this block, the creation of informative guides describing common behavioral patterns in people with problematic gambling stands out, serving as an early detection tool for family and friends. A guide to institutional resources will also be developed, unifying information on assistance and health services at both state and regional levels.
A key point in this stage will be the evaluation and reformulation of the safe gambling test used for players to request increases in their deposit limits. The DGOJ considers it necessary to adapt these tests to the new market paradigm to ensure that they fulfill their preventive function effectively. In addition, a specific survey will be launched to understand the experience of operators and participants regarding unauthorized gambling, seeking to reinforce policies against the illegal market that so undermines consumer protection.
Priority 3: Promotion of safe gambling and participant protection
The last pillar of the program groups nine measures aimed at dissemination and transparency. The DGOJ is committed to periodically and massively disseminating the results of scientific research funded by state subsidies, enhancing public knowledge about the effects of chance. Social media will cease to be just an exposure channel to become a tool for pragmatic information on risks and help methods, with simple language and far from paternalistic tones.
The institutional agenda for the coming years includes high-level technical conferences on cutting-edge topics such as the impact of Artificial Intelligence on gaming systems and the relationship between loot boxes and video games. The latter are particularly concerning due to their mechanical similarity to slot machines and their attractiveness to minors. With this operational deployment, which has a detailed timeline until 2030, the DGOJ seeks not only to regulate the activity but also to lead a cultural transformation where gambling is a safe and sustainable leisure option within the Spanish digital economy.
Tags: Spain, DGOJ, Spain gambling regulation, Safer Gaming Program 2026-2030