DGOJ attends SiGMA World Rome to coordinate fight against illegal online gambling
Spanish regulator presented enforcement cooperation and market supervision measures in Rome
Key Takeaways
- The DGOJ attended SiGMA World Roma on 5 November 2026 in Fiera Roma to discuss coordination against illegal online gambling.
- Mikel Arana, director general of the DGOJ, spoke at the panel “Europe’s Enforcement Era: Regulation Is Winning But At What Cost?”.
- Regulators from Spain, Cyprus, Greece and the Czech Republic shared measures and experiences targeting unauthorised platforms.
- Debate covered blocking access, payment methods, social media, mirror domains and the regulatory challenges of predictive markets.
The Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ), part of the Spanish Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and 2030 Agenda, attended SiGMA World Roma on 5 November 2026 to coordinate European action against illegal online gambling. Mikel Arana, director general of the DGOJ, spoke at the panel “Europe’s Enforcement Era: Regulation Is Winning But At What Cost?” to review enforcement developments and the operational challenges regulators face.
Agenda and participants at Fiera Roma
The international SiGMA World Roma event gathered industry, technology, finance and affiliate marketing representatives at Fiera Roma; the session with DGOJ participation included regulators from Spain, Cyprus, Greece and the Czech Republic, who shared experiences and measures against platforms operating without authorization. The session was part of the broader [SiGMA World Roma](/events) programme.
Key topics discussed
Among the issues discussed were the evolution of supervisory actions, difficulties blocking access to unauthorized sites and challenges related to [payment methods](/payments), social media and mirror domains. Regulators examined cooperation methods to identify and close those market entry points for the illegal sector, and the practical problems caused by operators acting from other jurisdictions.
Predictive markets and regulatory limits
Participants raised the problem of predictive markets when platforms assert that their products are not gambling activities. The debate highlighted the complexity of legally classifying those services and the need for authorities to exchange criteria to decide when an administrative licence is required.
Inter-agency cooperation and the licensed industry
The session emphasised the importance of cooperation between regulatory authorities and collaboration with payment service providers and digital platforms. Delegates also considered how the licensed industry can assist supervision by detecting illegal activity and sharing operational information with authorities.
DGOJ’s participation in SiGMA World Roma is part of its supervision of Spain’s national online gambling market and its commitment to effective enforcement of the regulatory framework. Cooperation with other regulators and sector stakeholders was presented as central to addressing the challenges of a global digital market and improving player protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the DGOJ participate in SiGMA World Roma?
The DGOJ participated in SiGMA World Roma on 5 November 2026 at Fiera Roma. Mikel Arana gave the DGOJ’s principal intervention in the panel on enforcement in Europe.
Which authorities took part in the session on illegal gambling?
The session included representatives from the regulatory authorities of Spain, Cyprus, Greece and the Czech Republic, who exchanged measures and approaches against platforms offering services without authorisation.
What specific problems did the DGOJ address at the panel?
The DGOJ and other participants addressed blocking access to unauthorised sites, challenges with payment methods, social media, mirror domains and the regulatory difficulties raised by predictive markets.
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About the author
Miguel Sandoval
Regulatory Affairs Correspondent
Miguel Sandoval tracks gambling legislation, licensing, and regulator enforcement — from Spain's DGOJ and the Latin American authorities to the UKGC, the MGA, and the state-by-state map in North America. The reports answer three questions precisely — what changed, where, and who it affects — with jurisdictions, dates, and penalties cited exactly as published. Operators and compliance officers read Miguel Sandoval to know which rulebook moved before their next meeting.
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