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The meeting took place at the headquarters of Spain’s Directorate General for Gambling Regulation (DGOJ), which operates under the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and Agenda 2030. Technical specialists and senior officials from Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Spain participated in the session.
Spain’s delegation was led by the Director General of Gambling Regulation, Mikel Arana Etxezarreta. The gathering formed part of the European Gambling Regulators Meeting, a recurring forum that allows national regulators to exchange insights on emerging trends, enforcement priorities, and the practical challenges facing each jurisdiction.
Illegal Gambling and Affiliate Marketing
The opening working session, coordinated by Spain, centered on illegal gambling and how affiliates can contribute to the visibility and growth of unauthorized operators. Spanish officials outlined concerns regarding affiliate-driven promotion, emphasizing that addressing unlicensed activity requires a mix of regulatory coordination, monitoring of digital marketing practices, and the development of common enforcement tools.
The conversation underscored how affiliate marketing models often transcend national borders, making cooperative responses essential for effective regulation.
Payment Blocking Strategies
Attention shifted to a joint contribution from Germany and Italy, which explored payment-blocking strategies used to disrupt transactions linked to illegal operators. Both jurisdictions shared their experiences implementing restrictions designed to limit the financial channels available to non-compliant businesses, offering insight into how such measures can be deployed while balancing consumer protection considerations.
Artificial Intelligence and Technology
Discussions also addressed the growing role of artificial intelligence in gambling operations and regulatory oversight. Regulators examined how AI applications present both opportunities for enhanced player protection and challenges for maintaining effective supervision of licensed operators.
Strengthening European Cooperation
The meeting closed with remarks from the Spanish delegation, which stressed the benefits of maintaining a consistent, collaborative channel among European regulators. Officials noted that sharing practical experiences, regulatory strategies, and enforcement challenges helps reinforce common standards and improve the collective response to risks emerging in the gambling ecosystem.
Several of the regulators who participated in the Madrid meeting—specifically those representing Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Spain—are scheduled to take part in the “1st International Gaming Congress: The Social Impact of Gaming,” organized by the DGOJ. Their contribution will feature in the Congress’s opening panel, titled “Challenges and perspectives of gambling regulation in Europe.”
The session will offer an opportunity to present ongoing initiatives, engage in structured dialogue about shared regulatory priorities, and reflect on policy developments expected to shape the sector across European markets.
Source: Directorate General for Gambling Regulation (DGOJ)
