Spain Implements New Payment Verification Rules to Fight Gambling Fraud

Spain Mandates Payment Verification to Combat Gambling Identity Theft – What Operators and Players Must Know

Key Takeaways

• The Spanish Ministry of Consumption issued Real Decreto 813/2026 to ensure gaming profiles match payment method owners.
• Fraudulent identity complaints in the country increased by 12% during 2025, totaling 8,675 cases.
• Existing players have a six-month transition period where they can deposit but cannot withdraw winnings without verification.
• The Directorate General for Gambling Regulation plans to implement a central deposit system by 25 March 2027 despite political uncertainty.

Rising fraud complaints trigger regulatory overhaul

The Ministry of Consumption in Spain is targeting a significant increase in identity theft across the gambling sector. Official data shows a 12% rise in fraudulent identity complaints during 2025. This increase pushed the total number of recorded cases to 8,675. The Directorate General for Gambling Regulation (DGOJ) noted that identity impersonators frequently utilize payment methods that are difficult to verify in real-time.

The DGOJ views this trend as a growing threat linked directly to organized crime and money laundering. Authorities are now rolling out a sweeping overhaul of compliance and governance frameworks within the regulated gambling sector. These measures aim to close the loopholes that allow criminals to fund accounts using stolen or unverified financial information.

Real Decreto 813/2026 enforces strict ownership matching

To combat the rise in criminal activity, the Spanish government introduced Real Decreto 813/2026. This policy introduces a strict mandate for all licensed gambling operators in the country. Operators must now guarantee that the individual registered on a gaming profile is the exact same person who owns the associated payment method.

New users creating accounts must pass this payment ownership verification immediately upon registration. Players cannot fund their new profiles or place bets until the operator confirms the payment method matches their verified identity. This immediate roadblock prevents illicit funds from entering the gambling ecosystem at the point of entry.

Existing players face a six-month transition period

The new policy also applies to established accounts, though the government provides a temporary grace period. Operators have six months to adapt their internal compliance systems and verify the payment ownership of their existing user base. Registered players can continue making deposits and participating in games during this specific timeframe.

Users cannot withdraw any winnings until their payment method ownership is successfully verified. This restriction ensures that funds do not exit the platform into unverified or potentially fraudulent bank accounts or e-wallets. Players must submit the required proof of ownership to regain full access to their funds.

Unverified accounts face termination and regulatory reporting

Operators must take strict action if ownership matching is not proven at the end of the six-month transition period. The regulations require platforms to terminate any unverified accounts immediately. Operators must then officially notify the DGOJ about the account closure.

Companies are required to return any remaining account balances and unpaid prizes to the user. This return of funds remains heavily subject to existing anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing rules. Operators must freeze suspicious funds rather than returning them if the transaction triggers existing financial crime protocols.

Snap elections create uncertainty for regulated operators

The DGOJ is attempting to create more contemporary measures for operators, but the broader political landscape presents challenges. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez recently called for a snap election scheduled for the end of next month. This sudden political shift creates uncertainty regarding the long-term picture of the Spanish gambling sector.

Industry stakeholders recognize that gambling regulation may not be an immediate priority for the victorious government. Regulated operators like CIRSA and Codere are already expressing concern over an expected channelisation rate of 78%. A lower channelisation rate indicates that a portion of the market continues to use unlicensed platforms, which diminishes the impact of local consumer protection laws.

Central deposit system remains on schedule

The national regulator is pressing on with its primary objectives despite the looming elections. The DGOJ is currently set to implement a central deposit system by 25 March 2027. This upcoming system represents another layer of the regulator’s plan to ensure the protection of Spanish players.

Player protection and the suppression of financial criminality remain at the forefront of the DGOJ agenda. The combination of mandatory payment verification and a centralized deposit tracking system creates a highly controlled environment for licensed operators. These technical requirements demand significant adjustments from gambling companies operating within the Spanish market.

Our Assessment

Spain’s implementation of Real Decreto 813/2026 represents a direct regulatory response to the verifiable 12% increase in identity fraud within the gambling sector. The immediate requirement for payment matching on new accounts, coupled with the six-month deadline for existing users, places a heavy compliance burden on licensed operators. Political uncertainty introduces questions about future legislative priorities. The DGOJ is actively prioritizing anti-money laundering controls over operator convenience. The expected 78% channelisation rate highlights a distinct challenge for the regulated market, as strict compliance measures often drive a segment of users toward unlicensed alternatives.