Gaming in Spain Conference Unveils 2026 Agenda with DGOJ Keynote

The 2026 Gaming in Spain Conference has published its initial agenda, confirming a programme focused on regulatory, compliance, and technical challenges for Spain's licensed gambling sector. Scheduled for 15 October 2026 at Madrid's Auditorio ECIJA, the event will feature a keynote from Mikel Arana, Director General of the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ), and topical sessions on deposit limits, AML, fraud, problem gambling detection algorithms, and black market competition.

Focus on Regulatory Change and Deposit Limits

Regulatory reform will headline the event, with a DGOJ-led session dedicated to implementing cross-operator deposit limits across licensed Spanish operators. Panel participants include Justo Sancho from the DGOJ, Sander Hoogendoorn of Chevron Group, and moderator Camille Gonzálvez from ECIJA. Patricia Lalanda of LOYRA Abogados will facilitate an adjacent discussion on the regulatory landscape in Melilla, reflecting Spain's region-specific approaches to gambling law. The agenda signals attention to practical challenges imposed by recent and forthcoming Spanish regulations, as well as the importance of regulation in the face of offshore pressure.

Black Market Gambling and Data-Driven Risk Assessment

Black market competition is a recurring theme. This block covers recent market data on illegal gambling, presented by Josh Hodgson of H2 Gambling Capital. It also features a comparison of onshore versus offshore gambling products, with Dmitry Belianin from Blask Business Intelligence, and an analysis of advertising for illegal gambling by Björn Fuchs from VNLOK. The explicit inclusion of Spain's National Police in compliance discussions reflects regulatory concern over unlicensed operators eroding the regulated market.

Emerging Technologies and Player Protection

Problem gambling detection receives dedicated attention through examination of the DGOJ’s central algorithm, with input from Pedro Romero (BetBlocker) and Paula Murphy (Mindway AI). Fraud and anti-money laundering (AML) measures will be addressed in a session led by David Calvete Sarasa, Chief Inspector from the National Police. Regulatory compliance is further discussed in a panel about implementation of the European Union’s new AML/CFT regulation, featuring Pedro López Martín-Andino (MartínAndino Abogados) and Jochen Biewer (Chevron Group). Sessions on payments, affiliate marketing, and “AI-powered ‘live’ casino” from Avanti Studios round out the technology-focused blocks.

“I am extremely happy that we managed to bring together so many key stakeholders, representing the regulator, licensed operators, suppliers, and even Spain's National Police,” said Willem van Oort, founder of Gaming in Spain. “I think this is representative of what Gaming in Spain and, more broadly, Gaming in Europe are trying to achieve, which is facilitating the kind of discussions that help foster long-term sustainability for regulated gambling.”

Free Webinar on Spanish Regulatory Topics

In parallel with the October conference, Gaming in Spain has scheduled a free webinar for Tuesday, September 15 at 15:30 CET. The session will review cross-operator deposit limits, potential amendments to Spain’s Gambling Act, application of the DGOJ’s detection algorithms, and consumer trends concerning prediction betting and offshore gambling experiences. Registration for the webinar is open to all industry participants.

Stakeholder Blend and Next Steps

The conference’s agenda is split across seven substantive blocks, designed to ensure representation from the regulator, licensed operators, suppliers, and investigative bodies. With further updates anticipated as the event approaches, registration for the October conference remains open. The organisers underline that both the conference and the associated webinar aim to foster knowledge-sharing critical to maintaining a sustainable, regulated Spanish market given “the growing threat of unprotected gambling due to unfair, unlicensed, and offshore competition.”

Updates on speakers and agenda items, including the LatAm update session, are still pending confirmation. For industry stakeholders looking to keep up with news on market protection, compliance frameworks, and technology adoption in regulated gambling, the conference provides direct access to subject matter experts and regulators.