Online gambling license: General Directorate for the Regulation of Gambling

The sole government entity in charge of regulating, authorizing, supervising, controlling, and sanctioning activities related to online casino games in Spain is the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego. Non-licensed operators are deemed offenders, and penalties may also be imposed on players engaging in these games. The primary responsibilities of the DGOJ include:

• Coordinating, evaluating, and approving the procedures for request submissions. Online gaming licenses in Spain.
• Control, inspection, and sanction of activities related to gambling games.
• Processing and administrative procedures of authorized lottery sales points in the State.
• Management of betting game records.

In order to offer certain gambling games in Spain, interested parties are required to go through the application and approval process, as per the 2011 law. Companies or individuals who fail to comply with the laws and regulations imposed by the State are hence deemed illegal. Below, you can find the DGOJ's guidelines for each type of casino game and betting:

• Lotto games are a state monopoly, organized by the Sociedad Estatal de Loterías y Apuestas del Estado and the ONCE.
• Casino and online betting operators can apply for a license from the General Directorate for the Regulation of Gambling. However, only certified games (those that obtain individual certifications from testing companies) can be incorporated into operators.
• Traditional bingo games, gaming halls, and physical casinos are regulated according to each Autonomous Community, which is why they are outside the scope of the General Directorate for the Regulation of Gambling.

The Law 13/2011 regarding the governance of games also outlines certain criteria to ascertain whether the activity in question qualifies as a game of chance. Additionally, it stipulates several prerequisites that must be met to classify an activity as gambling.

• To be considered a game of chance, one must risk money. In other words, the Free casino games Online entertainment forms, such as these, do not necessitate the acquisition of a license.
• Your outcome should be based on luck, regardless of the level of skill it requires.
• There are awards, which can be in the form of cash.

In order to apply for a license from the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego, gaming operators must possess teams, software systems, and other necessary tools for conducting these activities. The license applicant must provide a document certifying their compliance with the requested technical requirements. Moreover, the applicant must be a company belonging to Spain or a member country of the European Economic Area.

The effective implementation of the process takes approximately six months since the definitive approval of the license occurs within that timeframe. Nonetheless, the regulation of operators establishes technical requirements that must be met and are regularly monitored, such as:

1. Documentary record of the technical characteristics of the applying operator.
2. Evaluation and inspection of the equipment used.
3. Audits of the system conducted every two years by a company designated by DGOJ.

To verify the aforementioned items, the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego can rely on reports conducted by previously designated auditing firms. The issuance of the final license takes place six months after the conditional license is granted, following an assessment of the technical system employed by the operator.

There are only two categories of licenses issued by DGOJ. These licenses can be classified into general licenses and singular licenses.

• General licenses: Enable the company to operate online betting, casino games, among others. The applicant must go through the licensing process of the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego, guided by rules of advertising, competition, equality, transparency, and objectivity. Its validity is ten years, but it may be extended for another ten years.
• Singular licenses: They enable the company to offer gambling and casino games included in the general license, such as roulette e poker In this way, only holders of the general license will be able to request individual licenses. The minimum validity of the individual license is one year, and the maximum validity is five years. The loss or sanction of the general license results in the loss of the individual licenses.

It was in 2012 when the initial authorizations and licenses for online gaming operators were issued by the DGOJ. Since then, the Spanish online gaming market has become divided into unlicensed operators and licensed operators.

The incorporation of various provisions for player protection and responsible gambling is a core focus of the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego in the licensing process and the regulation and monitoring of games. Licensed operators attain their licenses by developing games and services that adhere to the legal and technical requirements established by the law, with the ultimate aim of ensuring that gambling is safe, fair, reliable, and transparent.

In this way, the General Directorate of Gambling Regulation can only ensure that the games are secure and fair on licensed websites, as we also mentioned in our guide on trusted online casinos. Any unlicensed gaming companies operating in Spain are considered illegal and unsafe. Thus, it is imperative to play only on licensed platforms to guarantee a safe and enjoyable experience.

The DGOJ emphasizes that engaging in games offered by licensed websites brings about countless benefits for players, including:

• Clear and transparent rules of the game, with the right to be properly informed about them.
• Assuring fair gameplay, free from any fraud or scams.
• The security of payment methods, regardless of which one you choose to use.
• Identification and registration of the player (verification of identity and restriction of access to the site for minors).

The General Directorate of Gambling Regulation advises that individuals who use illegal websites put not only their time and money at risk but also their personal data, making them susceptible to scams and dishonest practices. To determine if a specific site is properly licensed by the General Directorate of Gambling Regulation, players can verify licensing information on the online casino or betting site. Additionally, they can visit the official page of the DGOJ, which provides a comprehensive list of all licensed casino operators.

Concerning responsible gambling, the DGOJ provides abundant resources and a dedicated section on their website called "Jugar Bien" (Play Well). Within this section, players can access comprehensive information about the risks and prevention of compulsive gambling, as well as details on safe gambling practices. The Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego has ingeniously crafted a platform, utilizing videos and animations, to address issues pertaining to betting games. They have succeeded in creating an excellent space for engaging in discussions surrounding gambling-related concerns.

In 2017, our team established gambling-world.org with the primary objective of disseminating informative content related to online casino games, ensuring secure gameplay, and promoting responsible gambling practices. Additionally, we provide valuable tips and strategies aimed at assisting players in maximizing their profits while placing bets. Our platform also features comprehensive information on gaming regulations, both domestically and internationally, as well as reviews of licensed and trustworthy casinos accessible to South African users.

Our primary aim is to generate accessible, relevant, up-to-date, and comprehensive content about online casinos and gambling sites operating in South Africa, which many South Africans access on a daily basis. To peruse our reviews, guides, and game manuals, simply navigate to the main menu located at the top of the page.

The General Directorate for Gambling Regulation was established in 2011, and since then, it has granted licenses to several online casinos to operate within Spanish territory. If you wish to access the complete list, please visit the official website of the organization. Here, we have compiled the casinos that are licensed by the DGOJ and have already been evaluated by our team. We highly recommend reading our reviews before registering and embarking on your betting journey!