Spain is set to introduce stricter identity verification measures for gambling operators in a bid to prevent minors from engaging in betting activities.
The Socialist Parliamentary Group (SPG), which represents the ruling Socialist Workers’ Party, proposed the new regulations following a 2022 national study on addictions that found 21.5% of students aged 14 to 18 had gambled for money—either online or in person—within the previous year.
The move also comes amid a broader effort to strengthen gambling safeguards. Spain’s Ministry of Health is preparing a report expected to show a decline in problem gambling rates and underage participation, though concerns persist over the risks of early gambling exposure.
“The participation of minors in gambling tends to increase with age, and early intervention is crucial to preventing long-term social and personal harm,” SPG said in an official statement.
The proposal calls for identification systems to be installed in gambling machines and slot machines to block access for minors and self-excluded individuals. It also seeks to promote less addictive designs for online games.
On January 27, 2025, Spain’s Joint Commission for the Study of Addiction Problems approved the amendments, which now move to the Congress of Deputies for debate and a vote before heading to the Senate for final approval. No date has been set for the congressional discussion.
Currently, Spain requires online gambling operators to conduct identity verification under know-your-customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) regulations. The new rules would extend these checks to land-based gambling establishments, increasing enforcement.
The proposed measures reflect global trends in gambling regulation, with countries tightening controls on underage access. Nations such as the Netherlands have introduced similar restrictions, citing concerns that early gambling exposure raises the risk of long-term addiction.