New Spanish Rules Require Online Gambling Operators to Verify Payment Method Ownership

Spain has approved new rules on the authorization and mandatory monitoring of gambling transactions. Online gambling operators must confirm that payment methods used by players belong to the registered account holders. The measures are set out in Royal Decree 813/2026 and amend regulations implementing Law 10/2010 on the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing, as reported by Yogonet International.

The core obligation is that payment ownership must match the gambling account for deposits and withdrawals. This requirement covers all online transactions through electronic, computer, app, and interactive channels. Operators must keep records of verification processes, especially for initial transactions.

Payment Matching and Verification Standards

Under updated provisions in Article 21, operators must establish that the holder of the payment method is the owner of the gambling account. The decree raises standards for remote identification to meet minimum requirements published by Sepblac, Spain’s financial intelligence authority. It also formally recognizes Spain’s National Identity Document in both physical and digital formats.

Transition Timelines and Compliance Obligations

Existing customers receive a six-month transition period. The decree enters into force on October 28, 2026, while individual obligations carry their own adaptation periods. Players may continue depositing and gambling during this window but cannot withdraw winnings until verification occurs. Unverified accounts must be terminated after six months, with outstanding balances returned subject to anti-money laundering rules. Operators have the same six-month period to update technical systems. Electronic identification and information retention rules take effect after 18 months. Businesses must also maintain written policies on international financial sanctions alongside existing controls.

These requirements coincide with other DGOJ safer gambling projects, including a common algorithm for detecting risky behavior and proposed centralized monitoring of younger and vulnerable customers. License holders face a compressed schedule to align systems, customer communications, and internal processes with the new transaction controls. Precise execution will determine how smoothly the verification mandate integrates with ongoing regulatory demands.

Reporting: Yogonet International

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