Spain Considers Celebrity and Influencer Gambling Ads Restrictions as it Opens Public Consultation

Spain has begun a public consultation on proposed changes to the Gambling Regulation Act, with officials aiming to tighten rules around advertising and strengthen protections for users.

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The Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and Agenda 2030, through the Directorate General for Gambling Regulation, announced on Monday (May 18) that the reform is designed to modernize a law that has been in place for 15 years and adapt it to the realities of online gambling.

According to the consultation notice, one of the key areas under review is the use of celebrities and influencers in gambling promotions. 

Regulators want to limit their presence in advertising campaigns, customer acquisition offers, and even organic search results, so that gambling operator pages only appear when searches are directly connected to betting.

The consultation will also collect views on broader issues such as prevention, illegal gambling, and regulatory tools. The process is open to citizens, organizations, and stakeholders until June 22, 2026.

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Spain’s gambling reform movement

Spain’s latest reform proposals form part of a wider push by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs to tighten oversight of the gambling sector. Alongside the planned restrictions on celebrity and influencer advertising, officials are rolling out new tools and programs aimed at protecting players and curbing risky behavior.

One of the most notable measures is the development of an algorithm designed to detect problem gambling at an early stage. Built on real microdata, the system will be mandatory for all operators and is expected to raise detection rates by around ten percentage points.

The Ministry has also confirmed that gambling advertisements will soon carry health‑style warnings, similar to those seen on tobacco packaging. These messages will highlight the risks of betting, including figures such as the 75% probability of losing money.Earlier this year, the country unveiled its Safe Gambling Program 2026–2030, a national strategy focused on player protection, and introduced new identity verification checks for operators to strengthen compliance.

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