Spain's state-owned lottery operator, SELAE, is preparing to strengthen identity verification procedures for users of its online gambling platforms through a new service contract valued at approximately €1.43m ($1.61m).
The tender covers several verification technologies, including identity document checks, facial biometric recognition and liveness detection. The measures are intended to improve the reliability of digital identity checks, reduce the risk of impersonation and reinforce security across SELAE’s online channels.
The service is scheduled to begin on 12 March 2027. The successful bidder will be required to customise, integrate and test its service with SELAE’s applications from the moment the contract is signed. The service must be fully operational and must have passed acceptance testing conducted by SELAE personnel before the planned start date.
The facial biometric analysis algorithms must be verified by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) through its Face Recognition Technology Evaluation (FRTE) and Face Analysis Technology Evaluation (FATE) programmes or equivalent assessments.
The service must also provide a configurable anti-spoofing mechanism to mitigate fraud by detecting manipulated images submitted in place of images of the actual individual or photographs of real people, depending on the verification process used.
The contract prohibits the storage or extraction of biometric templates, ensuring that data generated during verification is temporary, apart from the verification results and technical details.
All input and output data must be encrypted and securely stored, with restricted and traceable access until requested by SELAE. This is intended to protect data integrity, confidentiality and security.
The successful bidder will also be required to cross-reference players' identities against public lists of individuals and entities subject to sanctions and financial countermeasures under current regulations.
SELAE is currently facing a backlash from its network of physical lottery vendors. Retailers are demanding higher commissions after 21 years without an increase, alongside higher ticket prices and protection against SELAE monopolising online sales.
More than 44% of lottery retailers are reportedly at risk of financial difficulties, as commissions remain low while operating costs continue to rise.
Thus, the Spanish National Association of Provincial Lottery Administrators (ANAPAL) joined forces last month with the country's National Federation of Associations of Self-Employed Workers (ATA) to lobby for better conditions for lottery retailers.
In July, more than 150 representatives from lottery outlets across Spain protested outside SELAE's headquarters in Madrid over these issues.
In 2025, SELAE reported record sales of €10.58bn, up 1.87% year-on-year; however, profit fell by 10.66% to €2.18bn
