Online Casino

During the commencement of Spain’s Castilla y Leon Gaming Congress, held in Coreses an important announcement was made concerning the future of online gaming in Spain by Alfonso Fernández Mañueco, the Councillor for Justice and Home Affairs. He stated that legislation will shortly be setting out by the autonomous region of Castilla y Leon’s governing council which will regulate all instances of private online gaming locally.

There are several hundred regional gaming company representatives attending the congress. The main topic of discussion is the current situation in the sector as well as to establish a solid framework for ensuring the future growth of the industry. Councillor Mañueco told the attending representatives that the regional government is already in the process of preparing the necessary legislation which will regulate all forms of online gambling. It would also set out the legal provision of these services allowing local companies to participate.

The proposed legislation, which is anticipated to be ready for introduction early next year, will also define which types of games can be offered as well as the levels of cash prizes which can be paid out. There will also be strict measures for the protection against underage gambling as well as those of problem gambling.

Mr. Mañueco said that the main aspects on which the activities of the region’s Department of Justice and Interior Affairs will be based includes both new technologies as well as player protection.

Questions were raised about the requests by local gaming companies for tax breaks. In response, Mr. Mañueco told them that the situation would be closely monitored by the Department of Finance prior to any firm decisions being made in 2026.

The councillor also cautioned local operators who were apt to lay the blame with the present economic crisis for the downturn in their business. He told them that there were several other factors which were significantly impacting the local gaming industry including the steady growth of the online gaming industry.

Additionally, there is also a proposal in the development stages to regulate all online gaming at a national level by the Loterías y Apuestas del Estado (LAE). A draft of the proposed regulation was expected to have been submitted to the National Gaming Committee at the meeting due to be held on 28th August, although a postponement until early 2026 is now expected. 

Currently, gaming companies in the region contribute in excess of €100 million to the treasury in taxes.