How to open an online casino in Spain in 2026: Requirements and steps
Spain has one of the most rigorous and consolidated iGaming regulatory frameworks in Europe. Opening an online casino in Spain in 2026 involves obtaining a license from the DGOJ, meeting strict technical and financial requirements, and committing to a process that can last between 12 and 24 months. This guide explains exactly what you need and how to do it.
Which body regulates online casinos in Spain?
The Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ), under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, is the body in charge of regulating and supervising all online gambling activity in Spain since the approval of Law 13/2011 on Gambling Regulation. Without a DGOJ license, operating an online casino in Spain is illegal and carries millionaire fines.
The DGOJ issues different types of licenses depending on the gambling product. For a full online casino you will need, at a minimum, the casino license, which allows you to offer virtual table games, slots, and video bingo. If you also want to offer poker, you will need an additional license.
Types of DGOJ licenses for online casinos
| License | Permitted product | Approx. initial fee |
|---|---|---|
| Casino License | Roulette, blackjack, slots, baccarat | €100,000 – €150,000 |
| Poker License | Online poker (tournaments and cash) | €50,000 – €100,000 |
| Betting License | Sports and event betting | €100,000 – €200,000 |
| Bingo License | Online bingo and video bingo | €50,000 – €80,000 |
Most operators simultaneously apply for the casino and betting licenses to maximize the value of their offering. This increases the initial cost but allows launching a complete product from day one.
Requirements to open an online casino in Spain
1. Corporate requirements
The operator must be a Spanish commercial company or have a permanent establishment in Spain. It is not possible to operate with a foreign company without a local presence. This implies setting up an S.A. or S.L. and registering it in the Commercial Registry before applying for the license.
Partners and administrators must go through an exhaustive reputational due diligence process: clean criminal records, absence of convictions for economic crimes, and proof of financial solvency. The DGOJ thoroughly investigates all holders with a stake greater than 10%.
2. Minimum capital
The minimum capital requirement for an online casino license in Spain is €1,000,000 (one million euros), which must be fully paid up and certified by a bank certificate at the time of application. This capital must be maintained throughout the life of the license.
Additionally, a financial guarantee must be set up before the DGOJ of between 1.5 and 3 million euros (depending on the expected volume of business), whose objective is to protect player funds.
⚠️ Common mistake: Many operators confuse the minimum share capital with the total project budget. Real launch costs (technology, marketing, personnel, fees, legal advice) typically multiply the required minimum capital by 3-5 times. Plan for a realistic budget of 3-5 million euros for the first year.
3. Technical requirements
The gaming system must meet very specific technical standards required by the DGOJ. Among the most relevant:
- Certified software: All gaming software must be certified by an accredited testing laboratory (BMM, Gaming Labs, eCOGRA, iTech Labs). The certification process can take 3-6 months.
- Gaming control system: Real-time connection with the DGOJ's Internal Control System (SCJ) to transmit data on all transactions.
- Data integrity: The system must guarantee the verifiable randomness of games (certified RNG) and the integrity of records.
- Data protection: Full compliance with GDPR and Spanish data protection regulations (LOPDGDD).
- .es domain: It is mandatory to operate under a domain with a .es extension or under a Spanish IP.
4. Compliance and responsible gaming requirements
Spain has one of the most demanding responsible gaming regulations in Europe. Before launching you must have implemented:
- Self-exclusion program integrated with the General Register of Gaming Access Bans (RGIAJ)
- Deposit, loss, and session limits configurable by the player
- Complete KYC (Know Your Customer) policy with mandatory identity verification
- AML (Anti-Money Laundering) program adapted to Law 10/2010
- Designated MLRO (Money Laundering Reporting Officer)
- Minor protection policy with age verification
The step-by-step process to obtain the DGOJ license
Incorporation of the Spanish company
Create the legal entity, open a bank account in Spain, disburse the minimum capital, and obtain the bank certificate proving it. Estimated duration: 4-8 weeks.
Preparation of the application
Collection of all documentation: deeds, articles of association, business descriptive memory, 3-year financial plan, documentation of partners and administrators, apostilled criminal record certificates, contracts with technology providers. Estimated duration: 2-3 months with specialized advice.
Technical certification of the system
Submission of the gaming system to an accredited laboratory to obtain the technical certificates required by the DGOJ. This can be done in parallel with the preparation of the application. Estimated duration: 3-6 months.
Submission to the DGOJ and due diligence
Formal submission of the application with all documentation. The DGOJ performs its own due diligence on the company and the partners. They may request additional documentation. Estimated duration: 6-12 months (often the longest bottleneck).
Resolution and conditions
The DGOJ issues the license resolution with the specific operating conditions. From here on you can operate, although in many cases deadlines are set to meet certain additional conditions.
Launch and ongoing supervision
Opening to the public, activation of the SCJ real-time connection, start of monthly reporting obligations to the DGOJ, and maintenance of ongoing compliance.
💡 Expert tip: The biggest mistake operators make is underestimating the DGOJ's due diligence time. At GamblingCons we have seen 18-month processes due to incomplete documentation or inconsistencies in the partners' backgrounds. With exhaustive preparation from day one, it can be reduced to 9-12 months. The quality of the initial documentation is the factor that most influences the total timeframe.
Real costs of opening an online casino in Spain
| Concept | Estimated cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum share capital | €1,000,000 | Remains in the company |
| DGOJ financial guarantee | €1,500,000 – €3,000,000 | Blocked during the license |
| DGOJ license fees | €100,000 – €250,000 | Depending on license types |
| Technical certification | €50,000 – €150,000 | Accredited laboratory |
| Legal and regulatory advice | €80,000 – €200,000 | From application to launch |
| Technological platform | €150,000 – €500,000 | Software license or in-house development |
| Game content (first 6 months) | €50,000 – €200,000 | Agreements with content providers |
| Marketing and acquisition (year 1) | €500,000 – €2,000,000 | Variable depending on strategy |
| Estimated total year 1 | €3.5M – €7M+ | Excluding guarantee |
Alternatives to the direct license in Spain
For operators who want to access the Spanish market without taking on the whole process from scratch, there are alternatives:
White Label with a licensed operator
Operate under the license of an already licensed operator in Spain through a white label agreement. It is the fastest route (3-6 months) but involves sharing margins and depending on a third party. The DGOJ must approve this agreement.
Acquisition of a licensed operator
Acquire a Spanish company that already has an active DGOJ license. Accelerates market access but requires a complex M&A process and change of control approval by the DGOJ. Typically more expensive in the short term but structurally cleaner.
Distribution or affiliation agreement
Generate revenue from the Spanish market without direct operation, through agreements with licensed operators. No access to player data or product control, but without the direct regulatory requirements.
Online casino taxes in Spain
Online casino operators in Spain are taxed on Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) at the following rates:
- GGR Tax: 20% for the first €5 million of GGR, 25% between €5M and €30M, 30% above €30M.
- Annual supervision fee: Variable depending on the volume of activity, between €5,000 and €500,000.
- VAT: Online gambling services are exempt from VAT under Spanish Law.
- Corporate Tax: General rate of 25% on net profit.
Conclusion: Is it worth opening an online casino in Spain?
Spain is a mature, regulated, and competitive market. With more than 15 licensed operators and a total market of over €1 billion in annual GGR, the space exists but entry is expensive and complex. The licensing process is demanding by design: the DGOJ wants serious, capitalized operators with proven experienced teams.
For operators with the right resources and experience in regulated markets, Spain offers one of the best regulation-to-opportunity ratios in Europe. The key is in the preparation: perfect documentation from day one, certifiable technology, and a solid compliance team.
If you are considering opening an online casino in Spain and want to understand if your project is viable, how much time and capital you will really need, and what is the optimal strategy for your specific case, at GamblingCons we do exactly that.
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