Who is in charge of regulating gambling in Spain? The body in charge of regulating and granting gaming licenses in Spain is the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ). Online casino games and sports betting in Spain have been regulated since June 6, 2012. The DGOJ is a public body reporting to the Secretary of State and the Ministry of Finance.
The gaming law specifies that: “Law 13/2011, of May 27, regulating gaming, basically regulates state-level gaming activity carried out through electronic, computer, telematic and interactive channels in which the media face-to-face have an accessory character, corresponding to the General Directorate for the Regulation of Gambling its authorization, supervision and control in order to guarantee the proper functioning of the sector and the protection of vulnerable participants and groups ”. This text has been taken from the web ordenacionjuego.es
To obtain a gaming license, gaming operators must comply with all the legal and technical requirements established by Law 13/2011. This law protects a safe, transparent, complete and reliable game for the user.
DGOJ’s goals:
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1. Establish clear and transparent rules of the game
This body is in charge of checking and regulating through periodic inspections if the different gaming operators comply with current rules and regulations. For this, audits are carried out every two years and inspections are carried out on the technical systems. These inspections include the software, computer equipment, systems or any other instrument for carrying out the game.
The user has the right to be informed of the clauses, terms and conditions of online games. It must appear clearly on the casino website. And this information has to be clear and legible.
2. Player protection
Player identification. Operators are required to verify the identity and age of the players. A fundamental measure to prevent access to minors and other vulnerable groups. The player must be able to modify, rectify or cancel their data at any time.
On the other hand, the Law Orgánica 2/2018 de Protección de Datos Personales y garantía de los derechos digitales guarantees and protects personal data, public liberties and the fundamental rights of players. With this law, digital rights are guaranteed and it is prohibited to share or sell personal data of players to third parties without their explicit consent
3. Guarantee fair play
One of the reasons this body was created was because the gaming industry began to grow inordinately. And with it, the illegality and the lack of protection towards the players. For this reason, the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego has as its fundamental objective the verification of gambling systems that guarantee fair play. Any cheating or scam by operators is totally prohibited. In the event of any illegality, the DGOJ has the power to withdraw the gaming license from the casino.
4. Payment security
The Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego it also has the mission of securing player deposits. The security of the management of the funds that users deposit in their accounts is essential.
The online casino operator must correctly specify the forms of payment and how the collections will be made in the event of a win. This information and this transaction must always be transparent.
On the other hand, it is essential that the player feels protected and can resort to that body in the event of any mishap.
How to know if a casino is regulated by the DGOJ
A list with all the operators that have a gaming license in Spain appears on the DGOJ website. If you want to know if any casino operates legally in Spain, you just have to enter the name or put the web. We do not advise you to open an account in a casino that is not regulated by said agency and above all, never deposit your money in it. Before playing, make sure that you comply with all legal measures.
Companies that obtain a gaming license may include the secure gaming seal.
There is also a section for regulated games: Blackjack, Bingo, Roulette Poker, Gambling machines, bets, contests or complementary games.
What to do in case of conflict
First, you should go to the online casino with which you have a problem and try to fix it. If you think the resolution is unfair, your complaint has not been addressed within a month or you have not reached an agreement, then contact theDirección General de Ordenación del Juego.
This body acts as a mediator between the player and the casino in case of conflict. It is a free, transparent service with legal guarantees. The claim or complaint can be made through its Electronic Office. The resolution period is usually approximately three months. It only admits claims or complaints from online casinos licensed in Spain.
Now you know who is in charge of regulating the game in Spain. You may also be interested in the article “Who grants gaming licenses”