Spain's UNAD urges stricter regulation to protect social fabric
On International Responsible Gambling Day, the Addiction Care Network (UNAD) has initiated a necessary debate on public health and the ethical sustainability of the sector in Spain. The organization is making an urgent call to tighten controls in both land-based and online environments, emphasizing that current protection measures are insufficient for the most exposed groups.
Data presented by the National Drug Plan in its 2025 report reveals a disturbing reality: minors' access to iGaming platforms and physical venues remains an open gap. According to the association, the fact that 13% of secondary school students have interacted with online gambling shows that current responsibility messages are not fulfilling their preventive function. For UNAD, information must cease to be a formality and become clear, scientific communication explicitly focused on the risks to physical and mental health.
Anatomy of a Human Problem
Beyond the laws, direct care figures show the human face of this reality. Over the past year, the network assisted more than a thousand people with problematic gambling behaviors, with a marked prevalence among men aged 26 to 33. However, the most striking data point is the care provided to minors, which now accounts for nearly 20% of their cases.
Given this scenario, UNAD argues that gambling advertising directly conflicts with prevention. Their proposal is radical but clear: equate iGaming restrictions with those of tobacco or alcohol, completely eliminating commercial promotion. They also demand urgency in approving the Royal Decree that adjusts deposit limits and regulatory harmonization to ensure that, regardless of the region, the protection of vulnerable users is the absolute priority.
Tags: Spain, UNDA, problem gambling prevention, responsible gaming