Consumption fines more than 33 million to 26 online gambling operators and blocks six websites

He Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption and Agenda 2030 has sanctioned 26 online betting and gambling operators with more than 33 million euros, including Betfair, 888 and Codere, after detecting up to 32 violations of current regulations, as reported this Tuesday in a statement.

Of these 32 infractions – dictated by the General Directorate of Gambling Regulation (DGOJ) -, six have been very seriousand are aimed at foreign online gaming operators that operate without a license in Spain. These sanctions classified as very serious represent a fine of 5 million per operator, as well as blocking its pages.

The other 26, which are serious in nature, are imposed on operators who, although they do have the license in order, incur in any type of infraction classified in article 40 of Law 13/2011 on the regulation of gambling.

Among the operators fined for serious violations are, among others, 888 Online, which will have to pay 250,000 euros for failing to comply with the technical requirements of the regulations relating to software and to communication systems, and for using non-approved or unauthorized technical systems. Also Beatya Online, which has been fined 300,000 euros for failing to comply with the technical requirements of the regulations relating to software and communication systems.

For its part, Betfair has been imposed a fine of 100,000 euros for not complying with their obligations regarding responsible gaming and player protection as required by law.

Electraworks Ceuta will also pay 512,000 euros for three different infractions classified in article 40 of the law: allowing access to the game to people who are prohibited from doing so, using non-approved or unauthorized technical systems and for failing to comply with the technical requirements of the regulations relating to software and communication systems.

It is for this last reason that also Codere is sanctioned, with a fine of 17,500 euros. Thus, the fines vary depending on the infraction committed, being 3 and a half million euros in total for 26 sanctions.

Blocking and fine of five million

The six operators who will be blocked as a result of very serious violations are XYZ Entertainment, Moonrail Limited, EOD Code SRL, Samaki, Lone Rock Holdings and Novaforge. In addition, a fine of 5 million euros each is imposed (30 million euros in total).

So far this year, and taking into account this latest round of fines, Consumption has imposed 58 serious and very serious sanctionsfor a total of almost 111 million euros.

The latest modification of the Gambling Regulation Law established that serious and very serious administrative infractions will be published on the DGOJ website. Since then, in July 2021, they have been announced 212 sanctions, with fines totaling 496 million euros.