The Basque Country registers 9,406 gaming machines and 13,647 positions as of March 31, 2026

The Basque Government recorded 9,406 gaming machines and 13,647 gaming positions as of the end of the first quarter of 2026, according to data published on March 31 by the autonomous administration itself. The statistics detail the distribution by territories and modalities, with Bizkaia as the main hub and the BH modality as the dominant component of the park.

Quantitative summary of the machine park in the Basque Country

As of March 31, 2026, the total authorized in the autonomous community amounts to 9,406 machines and 13,647 gaming positions. The difference between machines and positions is due to the presence of multi-position configurations in certain modalities, especially in the BS category, which totals 2,577 machines but 6,117 gaming positions.

The territorial distribution of the park by number of machines is as follows:

• Bizkaia: 3,993 machines

• Gipuzkoa: 1,820 machines

• Araba/Álava: 1,066 machines

Regarding gaming positions, the figures from the same period reflect that Bizkaia also leads this section, with 3,316 positions within the BS modality, followed by Gipuzkoa with 1,923 positions and Araba/Álava with 878 positions.

The BH modality and its weight in the Basque machine park

The BH modality constitutes the main component of the Basque park. The official register shows 6,689 BH machines and 7,040 gaming positions in total.

By territory, the BH distribution is:

• Bizkaia: 3,993 BH machines

• Gipuzkoa: 1,820 BH machines

• Araba/Álava: 1,066 BH machines

Within the BH submodalities, there are changes compared to July 2025: the BH+ increased from 15 to 30 units, while the BHM decreased from 168 to 161 units.

BS modality: fewer machines, more positions due to multi-position configuration

The authorizations for the BS modality total 2,577 machines and 6,117 gaming positions, reflecting the prevalence of multi-position configurations in this category. Bizkaia concentrates the majority of the BS park with 1,360 machines and 3,316 positions. Gipuzkoa accounts for 825 machines and 1,923 positions, while Araba/Álava records 392 machines and 878 positions.

Regarding the comparison with July 2025, the BS subcategories show variations: BS machines increased from 783 to 809 units, and the BSM grew to 1,151 machines and 4,182 positions, compared to the 1,129 machines recorded in the previous period.

Other modalities: BG and type C in smaller numbers

The BG permits show a more limited presence in the autonomous park: 91 machines and 327 gaming positions in total. The territorial concentration in BG is as follows:

• Bizkaia: 52 machines and 192 positions

• Araba/Álava: 21 machines and 68 positions

• Gipuzkoa: 18 machines and 67 positions

In the BG configurations, the figures compared to July 2025 are heterogeneous: the BGM maintains 18 units, while other submodalities like BS, BS+M or BSM show movements in the number of authorized machines.

The type C park adds 49 units and 163 gaming positions. This modality appears in Bizkaia, with 21 machines and 74 positions, and in Gipuzkoa, with 28 machines and 89 positions; no type C units are recorded in Araba/Álava in this instance.

Interpretation and technical context for operators and providers

The data from the Basque Government highlights two relevant elements for operators and technical providers: the importance of multi-position configurations in the architecture of the autonomous park and the territorial concentration in Bizkaia. The disparity between physical machines and authorized positions is especially notable in the BS modality, where 2,577 machines enable 6,117 positions.

For compliance teams and commercial planning, the detailed breakdown by subcategory (BH+, BHM, BS, BSM, BGM) facilitates estimates of installed capacity and maintenance or renewal needs. The territorial landscape—Bizkaia at the forefront, followed by Gipuzkoa and Araba/Álava—should be considered when designing regional deployments and service logistics.

Recent figures should be read against the reference of July 2025, which shows moderate variations but no deep restructuring of the park as of March 31, 2026. For regulatory follow-up and potential authorization changes, the sector's regulation section and official provincial bulletins can be consulted, while the commercial implications are reflected in movements in the B2B market in b2b and sectoral news in news.

What to look for in upcoming statistical reports

The upcoming reports should confirm whether the variations in submodalities (for example, the increase in BH+ and the slight decrease in BHM) consolidate or reverse. It will also be relevant to observe the evolution of the number of multi-position positions in BS, and whether the concentration in Bizkaia increases, stabilizes, or decreases due to commercial or regulatory adjustments.

My signature: Emilio Navarro, Corresponsal de tecnología del sector.