Murcia to approve five-rule reform and a youth gambling action plan by 2026
Regional government mandates access controls and limits on outdoor advertising ahead of 2027
Key Takeaways
- The Region of Murcia will seek approval before the end of 2026 for a reform affecting five gaming regulations.
- Mandatory access control systems will be required in gaming arcades and betting shops to block people on exclusion or banned-person registers.
- The reform proposes unifying databases of self-excluded and prohibited persons to prevent their access to venues.
- The Regional Assembly approved unanimously a motion to launch a Comprehensive Shock Plan against youth gambling with cross-party support.
- The regional government has maintained a moratorium on new gaming arcade authorisations for the last eight years.
The Government of the Region of Murcia plans to approve before the end of 2026 a reform that will amend five gaming regulations, introduce mandatory access controls in venues and limit the visibility of signage from public roads. The Regional Assembly unanimously approved a motion calling for a Comprehensive Shock Plan against youth gambling; deputy Luz Marina Lorenzo confirmed the regulatory package is listed in the regional Government’s Regulatory Plan.
Regulatory changes announced
The regional reform will address five gaming regulations and includes several concrete measures that the regional Government aims to have approved before the end of 2026. Measures include the implementation of mandatory access control systems in gaming arcades and betting shops to prevent entry by persons registered in exclusion or banned-person registers.
The initiative also proposes the unification of databases of self-excluded persons and those listed in prohibited registers with the explicit aim of preventing their access to premises.
Restriction of advertising and moratorium on openings
The reform additionally foresees limiting the visibility of outdoor advertising and storefront signage from public roads. The regional Government maintains a policy of not granting new authorisations to open gaming arcades, a course of action that, according to the information provided, has been maintained for the last eight years.
Comprehensive Shock Plan against youth gambling
The motion unanimously approved in the Regional Assembly’s Education and Culture Committee calls for the launch of a Comprehensive Shock Plan against youth gambling. The parliamentary groups PSOE, PP, Vox and IU-Verdes supported the initiative.
The proposal includes:
Establishing minimum distances between betting premises and educational centres to protect the school environment.
Greater coordination between schools, paediatric services, child and adolescent mental health services and specialised addiction units.
Specific protocols for minors under 16 years aimed at improving early detection and care for gambling-related behaviours.
These actions are organised in two complementary lines: updating regional regulations for premises and strengthening prevention and assistance tools aimed at young people. The final scope will depend on the approval and regulatory specification of the announced initiatives.
By Miguel Sandoval, Corresponsal de regulación. For more information on rules and sector measures, consult our coverage in [regulation](/regulation) and related reports in [news](/news).
Frequently Asked Questions
What regulatory changes does the Region of Murcia plan and when will they take effect?
The Government of the Region of Murcia intends to approve before the end of 2026 a reform that will amend five gaming regulations. The package includes mandatory access controls, unified exclusion registers and restrictions on outdoor signage.
What does the reform require for access control in gaming venues?
The reform requires the installation of mandatory access control systems in gaming arcades and betting shops to prevent entry by people listed in prohibited registers or who have self-excluded, as explicitly stated in the announced measures.
Who supported the motion for the Comprehensive Shock Plan against youth gambling?
The motion was approved unanimously in the Education and Culture Committee of the Regional Assembly and was supported by the parliamentary groups PSOE, PP, Vox and IU-Verdes.
What specific measures does the Shock Plan propose to protect young people?
The Plan proposes minimum distances between betting venues and educational centres, coordination between schools and paediatric and child mental health services, and specific protocols for minors under 16 to improve early detection and care.
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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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