From 28 October 2026, online gambling operators in Spain must check that the payment method used to top up an account and withdraw funds belongs to the holder of the gaming account. The requirement is set out in Royal Decree 813/2026, published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) on 8 October. Players who registered earlier get six months to comply, but they will not be able to withdraw winnings during that period.
What changes for operators
The amendment comes from article five of the decree. It changes article 21 of the regulation implementing Law 10/2010 on the prevention of money laundering, approved by Royal Decree 304/2014. In the new wording of article 21, paragraph 2 applies to operators that offer games through electronic, computer, telematic and interactive channels. On top of the usual conditions for remote identification, they must make sure that the holder of the payment method used for deposits and withdrawals is the holder of the gaming account.
The article does not specify how the check should be carried out. The preamble says the amendment is meant to remove the undesirable effects of the current rules.
What awaits existing players
Players who registered before the rule takes effect get six months from 28 October under the decree's first transitional provision, that is, roughly until 28 April 2027 (the date is calculated from the day the rule enters into force). During this period they can top up their accounts with the payment methods they already use and take part in games, but they cannot withdraw winnings. Operators get the same six months to adapt their technical systems.
What happens if a player does not pass the check
If the holder is still not confirmed when the six months end, the operator must unilaterally terminate the contract with the player and notify the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ). Any balance on the account, including unpaid winnings, must be returned.
The full text is available on the BOE website: document page and PDF.
