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Spain Tightens Online Gambling Payment Verification Under New AML Rules

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Altay Celikkaya

Content Manager

Updated: 14/10/26

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Spain has introduced new anti-money laundering (AML) requirements that require online gambling operators to verify that the payment methods used for deposits and withdrawals belong to the registered gambling account holder.

Published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) on 8 October 2026, Royal Decree 813/2026 strengthens identity verification requirements and introduces additional safeguards against unauthorised transactions. The rules take effect on 28 October, giving existing players and licensed operators six months to make the necessary adjustments.

Spanish government building, official ministry logo and national flag illustrating Spain’s new gambling payment verification rules.

Regulation & Compliance

Key Takeaways From Spain's New Payment Verification Rules

Operators must verify that payment methods belong to the registered gambling account holder.
Royal Decree 813/2026 takes effect on 28 October 2026.
Existing customers have six months to complete payment ownership verification.
Players with unverified payment methods cannot withdraw winnings during the transition period.
Operators must close accounts that remain non-compliant after the deadline and return outstanding balances.

Spain Introduces Mandatory Payment Ownership Checks

Spain’s official Royal Decree 813/2026 amends Article 21 of the country’s existing AML regulations. Operators must establish that the individual holding a payment method is also the registered owner of the gambling account.

The decree states that verification must establish that “the holder of the payment method used for deposits and withdrawals is the holder of the gambling account.”

The measure strengthens existing customer identification requirements and addresses risks involving third-party payment methods.

It also builds on Spain’s earlier identity theft prevention initiatives, which introduced tools for reporting fraudulent gambling accounts.

Six-Month Transition Period Affects Withdrawals

Existing players will have until 28 April 2027 to complete the required verification. During this period, affected customers may continue depositing funds through previously registered payment methods and participating in gambling activities. However, customers cannot withdraw winnings until operators verify ownership of the payment method.

If verification remains incomplete after six months, operators must terminate the affected accounts and notify the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ). Operators must return remaining balances, including unpaid winnings, in accordance with applicable AML obligations. Operators receive the same six-month period to update their technical systems.

Payment Verification Becomes a Wider Compliance Priority

The changes introduce additional responsibilities for gambling platforms, payment processors and KYC technology providers. Operators may need to strengthen account-matching procedures, payment verification systems and withdrawal controls.

Spain has already introduced cross-operator deposit limits, reflecting its broader approach to financial safeguards. Similar requirements are emerging elsewhere in Europe, with the Dutch Gambling Authority strengthening guidance on bank account verification in October.

What Comes Next for Operators?

With the rules taking effect on 28 October, licensed operators must prepare their verification procedures and communicate the requirements to existing customers. The six-month transition provides time for technical implementation, but unresolved ownership checks could affect withdrawals and account continuity.

For B2B providers, the changes reinforce the growing importance of reliable identity verification and payment compliance infrastructure across regulated European gambling markets.