Spain introduces new payment verification rules for online gambling

A new Royal Decree published in Spain’s Official State Gazette sets out additional anti-money laundering obligations for online gambling operators.

Operators must verify that payment methods used for deposits and withdrawals belong to the registered gambling account holder. A six-month transitional period allows operators to adapt their systems to the new requirements.

Meanwhile, Players who registered before the requirements came into force will also have six months to complete the necessary verification.

Until they are verified, they can continue depositing funds using their existing payment methods but cannot withdraw winnings.

If an operator cannot verify a player's ownership of the payment method by the end of the transition period, it must terminate the customer's account and notify the regulator. Any outstanding balances must be returned.

The decree also introduces wider anti-money laundering measures. It sets thresholds for identity verification in occasional transactions. Verification is generally required for transactions of €1,000 ($1,120) or more, while prize payments from lotteries and other games have a threshold of €2,500.

The Decree was published on 8 October 2026 and is scheduled to enter into force on 28 October 2026. The six-month transitional period runs from the effective date, rather than the publication date.

Spanish National Police and Civil Guard investigators have recently uncovered growing use of lottery tickets in money-laundering schemes in Spain’s Almería province. Criminal organisations are using the tickets to disguise illicit funds as legitimate lottery winnings.

Criminals allegedly approach lottery winners and offer premiums to buy winning tickets, letting them present illegal money as legitimate winnings. Apparently, one method involves a bank employee alerting a criminal network when a winner deposits their prize, with the premium typically around 20%.