Illegal gambling sites continue to pose a huge challenge for Spain’s regulated online gambling market, with multiple unlicensed firms fined millions for targeting Spanish customers.
In its latest report, the country’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs unveiled that between January and June 2023, a total of 14 unauthorized online gambling firms were handed down penalties amounting to a total of €70 million. That figure accounted for the vast majority of fines imposed on gambling operators in that reporting period.
14 Unlicensed Firms Each Hit with €5M Fine
During the first half of 2023, a total of 30 online gambling firms received €71 million in fines for violations of Spain’s gambling laws. According to the country’s gambling regulator, the Directorate General of Spanish Gambling (DGOJ), 14 unlicensed operators were each handed down a maximum fine of €5 million for serious infractions.
Among those fined were Blockdance BV, Bets Entertainments NV, Santeda International BV, Ryker BV, AK Global NV, Smein Hosting, Newera BV, Fairgame GP NV, XO Corporation NV, Versus Odds BV, Casbit Group NV, Favorit United NV, Altacore NV, and Techoptions Group BV. The firms are primarily based in Curacao, the DGOJ stated.
Licensed Firms Fined €1M for Regulatory Non-Compliance
A total of 16 Spanish licensed operators, including Codere Online, Skill-on-Net, Marathonbet, Beatya SA, and Zebetting y Gaming España, were also hit with fines amounting to €1 million for regulatory breaches.
