Spain bets big on player protection with €1m research grant 5l1a2v

The initiative, spearheaded by the Spanish gambling regulator, the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ), aims to deepen understanding and improve prevention efforts through science-driven policy.

Announced in the Official State Gazette on 17 May, the 2025 grant programme is not merely regulatory housekeeping; it signals a public health-first approach aligned with broader social policy goals under the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and Agenda 2030.

Key facts about the grant 1z512k

With a total budget of €1.05 million, the DGOJ is inviting proposals from Spanish-based public and private research institutions, as well as non-profit organisations operating under recognised cooperation agreements. Applications remain open until 18 June 2025, and selected projects must be completed by 30 June 2026.

Applicants are encouraged to address one or more of six strategic research priorities:

• Early detection of problem gambling behaviours

• Social and psychological impacts of gambling

• Gender-specific differences in gambling-related harm

• The overlap between gambling and gaming, particularly in digital environments

• The structural characteristics of gambling products such as betting, poker, and lotteries

• Broader societal and economic impacts linked to gambling behaviour
  

Structural design of gambling products z3e

One of the more progressive aspects of the grant is its focus on the structural design of gambling products. 

This reflects a growing international awareness that the mechanics of games, from near misses to volatility profiles, can significantly influence player behaviour.

By prioritising research into how product features affect risk levels, the DGOJ is moving the conversation beyond individual responsibility and towards corporate ability in game development. 

It’s a shift that could ultimately drive regulatory changes and innovation in safer game design.

Crackdown and collaboration 2m3p5r

The funding announcement comes on the heels of a regulatory blitz. 

Earlier this month, the DGOJ issued €77.4 million in fines against 14 unlicensed operators, including one €10 million penalty and several €5 million sanctions. All entities received two-year bans from the Spanish market.

These enforcement actions underline the DGOJ’s commitment to consumer protection and market integrity. 

Meanwhile, the regulator is also strengthening ties with international counterparts, most recently participating in forums led by the UK Gambling Commission and hosting Spain’s first national anti-money laundering meeting for the gambling sector.

Preventive side of regulation l5n73

While enforcement often grabs headlines, initiatives like this grant programme showcase the quieter, preventive side of regulation. 

While regulators are cracking down on operators who exhibit questionable practices through financial punishment and expulsion, research and education are seen as key tools in shaping safer environments long before harm occurs.

Why this matters 1q140

For the gambling industry, this is more than a bureaucratic update. 

The outcomes of these funded projects could reshape everything from advertising guidelines to how games are built and tested. For players, it represents a tangible investment in their safety and well-being.

By grounding regulatory decisions in data and behavioural insight, Spain is carving a path toward more effective, evidence-led oversight.

A new model for regulation 1d1ia

Full details of the grant programme, including eligibility criteria and submission processes, can be found via the DGOJ website and the National Subsidy Database. Applications are open until 18 June 2025.

Spain’s gamble on prevention could offer a new model for consumer-first regulation in Europe, one backed not just by rules, but by research.