Spain replaces responsible-gambling message with new warnings

The Spanish Directorate-General for the Regulation of Gambling has replaced the responsible-gambling message in commercial communications with prescribed warnings on gambling harm and underage participation.

The resolution was published in the Boletín Oficial del Estado on 6 October 2026 and will become effective 60 days after publication. It implements the authority’s powers under Articles 10 and 11 of Royal Decree 958/2020 and applies to gambling commercial communications within its regulatory remit.

Three harm messages and one underage warning

The resolution requires commercial communications to include one of three harm messages: "La ludopatía es un riesgo del juego"; "La probabilidad de ser un jugador que pierde dinero es del 75 %"; or "Las pérdidas del total de jugadores superan en 4 veces sus ganancias".

It replaces the "jugar con responsabilidad" message required by Article 10(3) of Royal Decree 958/2020. The communications must also refer users to the Directorate-General’s safer-gambling website, www.juegoseguro.es. Where the medium permits, selecting the message must redirect the user to that site.

Audiovisual communications must carry the audible message "La ludopatía es un riesgo del juego". The resolution also sets specifications for the messages’ form, size, placement, contrast and content, with further provisions in two annexes.

The underage warning is standardised as "Solo para mayores de 18 años". Both warning categories must be accessible and easily legible or audible, reflect the characteristics of the medium, remain distinguishable from the commercial communication and be fully visible without requiring the user to scroll.

The resolution’s explanatory text places the changes within the safer-gambling and underage-protection principles of Royal Decree 958/2020. It also refers to Royal Decree 176/2023, which developed safer gambling environments. The operative provisions supplied do not alter licensing status or address separate regulatory obligations outside these advertising messages.

The timing provisions create two different dates for existing campaigns. Advertising contracts signed before publication may continue for three months from publication without adapting the communications covered by those contracts. The resolution itself becomes effective 60 days after publication.

The resolution also contains an exception for certain contest communications broadcast through online radio audiovisual communication services, referring to Article 21(4) of Royal Decree 958/2020. It does not quantify affected campaigns or implementation costs.

The governing record is the BOE resolution and its two annexes. No separate approval process is identified.

The next official milestones are the 60-day effectiveness point and the end of the three-month transition for pre-existing advertising contracts.