Spain's Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ) has started a public consultation to consider setting up unified deposit limits per player for online gambling in Spain.
The DGOJ has rolled out a public discussion scheduled to close on October 16th, 2023. The aim is to gather feedback on the idea of establishing combined deposit caps for players on online gaming platforms. This proposal has sparked considerable conversation within the country's gaming sector.
What changes did the DGOJ propose?
Right now, each online gaming operator in Spain can set its own deposit limits for customers, with a daily cap of 600 euros, 1,500 euros per week, and 3,000 euros monthly. These limits, however, are operator-specific and not enforced across the board at all gaming sites.
The DGOJ’s proposal seeks to alter this by implementing a unified deposit limit system per player. This would mean players have a single monthly deposit limit across all licensed operators, no matter how many accounts they hold.
According to the DGOJ, this measure aims to enhance public order protection, combat fraud, deter addictive behavior, and safeguard the most vulnerable players. The regulatory body believes the current system allows players to bypass self-imposed limits simply by switching operators, potentially worsening gambling problems.
The draft Royal Decree does not specify the collective monthly limit per player, leaving that to be determined by a future ministerial decision. The DGOJ indicates that a player's economic and financial circumstances, along with their gambling history, will be considered when setting this limit.
Industry opinions
The proposal by the DGOJ has led to varied opinions among online gambling operators and industry experts in Spain. Some view it as a positive step towards curbing gambling addiction and protecting the most vulnerable players. Others see it as an excessive measure that might inadvertently promote illegal gambling.
Supporters argue that such a measure could help prevent gambling addiction by capping the maximum amount of money an individual can bet in a specific time frame. They also highlight the financial protection these limits can offer.
On the other hand, critics warn of potential negative side effects, such as a rise in illegal gambling or invasion of players' privacy. They also express concerns about potentially reduced revenues from online gambling activities.
Updates in the Royal Decree project
This Royal Decree project is part of Spain's 2021-2023 National Addiction Strategy Action Plan. The project introduces several innovations, including the creation of a common technology platform for information exchange between operators and the DGOJ. The system applies to both games of chance and sports betting and will undergo periodic evaluation to adapt to the changing needs of the market and its users.
