Spanish gov. promotes Royal Decree for online gambling AML
The Ministry has launched a public hearing period for a new regulatory project that seeks to shield the financial system against illicit activities. This proposed Royal Decree introduces more rigorous requirements for digital gaming operators, focusing on the full traceability of funds and the unequivocal identification of participants. The measure responds to Spain's need to align with the international standards of the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) for the 2026 evaluation and to adapt to the recent anti-money laundering package of the European Union. Interested parties and industry stakeholders have until April 6, 2026 to submit their comments on the text.
New thresholds and strict verification of beneficial ownership
One of the key points of the draft is the modification of Article 4, which maintains active vigilance over occasional transactions starting from EUR 1,000. However, the text introduces a specific distinction for the collection of prizes in lotteries and other games of chance, where identity verification will be mandatory when the amount reaches or exceeds EUR 2,500.
Additionally, Article 12 tightens due diligence protocols. Following the approval of this decree, operators will be obliged to identify and verify both the client and the beneficial owner whenever there are indications of money laundering or terrorist financing, without any exception. If these measures cannot be completed at the beginning of the relationship, the obliged entity must apply a special examination under the terms of Law 10/2010.
The end of operational enablement through bank deposits
The most profound change for the daily operation of platforms lies in Article 21. Until now, regulations allowed remote operations to be enabled with a first deposit made from a client's bank account in Spain or the European Union. With the new wording, this possibility is eliminated for electronic operations.
The project establishes that it will be mandatory to verify that the holder of the payment method used, both for making deposits and requesting withdrawals, exactly matches the holder of the gaming account. The Ministry justifies this tightening by pointing out that the current regulation has generated undesirable effects that must be corrected to prevent the use of third-party financial instruments in the gaming ecosystem.
Traceability and adaptation to the risks of new technologies
The objective of these modifications is to raise the levels of transparency in the flow of money within digital platforms. By reducing the margin for the use of third-party payment methods, the authorities intend to close security gaps and adapt regulations to the risks posed by new payment technologies. The Ministry explains that increasing the traceability of deposits and withdrawals is a priority to maintain the integrity of the Spanish market. This Royal Decree aims to provide the State with tools capable of tracking every transaction in an increasingly digitized environment, ensuring that online gambling is not used as a vehicle for criminal activities.
Tags: Spain, Spain regulation, online gambling regulation, online gambling fraud, casino fraud prevention