Spain welcomes new operators & licensed slots play

A major update by the Spanish gambling regulator, La Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ), has seen the awarding of 10 new operator licenses for entry into the Spanish regulated market

The DGOJ confirmed that European companies Eurobet, Merkur Interactive, SKS365 and Net Ent were amongst the operators and service providers granted license approval for market entry.

The update would further see the DGOJ announce its first set of approved licenses for online slots services for the Spanish igaming market. The DGOJ confirmed that slots licenses had been awarded to European operators, William Hill, bet365, bwin.party, 888 and igaming services provider Playtech.

The long awaited introduction of slots play into the Spanish igaming market, is likely interest additional operators and service providers into joining the regulated market.

During Spain’s initial licensing phase, many industry commentators had been critical of the country’s online gambling framework and product limitations, stating that the DGOJ has not created the appropriate market conditions for the industry to grow effectively.

In November 2014, the DGOJ had re-opened its licensing window, to allow for international operators and service providers to re-submit online gambling applications for the provision of slots play.

The Spanish regulator has additionally set up new broadcasting and marketing laws, with aim of promoting igaming and sports betting services more responsively to the nation’s consumers