European Regulators Meet in Madrid on Gambling Policy

Representatives from seven European authorities gathered in Madrid to examine shared regulatory issues and strengthen cross-border cooperation on gambling oversight. The meeting took place on November 12, 2025, at the headquarters of Spain’s Directorate General for Gambling Regulation (DGOJ), which operates under the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and Agenda 2030. The session brought together technical specialists and senior officials from Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, the United Kingdom and Spain. Spain’s delegation was led by the Director General of Gambling Regulation, Mikel Arana Etxezarreta.

The gathering formed part of the European Gambling Regulators Meeting, a recurring forum that allows national regulators to exchange insights on emerging trends, enforcement priorities, and the practical challenges facing each jurisdiction. This year’s discussions focused heavily on the need for coordinated approaches, reflecting regulators’ shared view that cross-border issues cannot be effectively managed in isolation.

Discussions on Enforcement, Affiliates, and Illegal Gambling

The opening working session, coordinated by Spain, centered on illegal gambling and how affiliates can contribute to the visibility and growth of unauthorized operators. Spanish officials outlined concerns regarding affiliate-driven promotion, emphasizing that addressing unlicensed activity requires a mix of regulatory coordination, monitoring of digital marketing practices, and the development of common enforcement tools. The conversation underscored how affiliate marketing models often transcend national borders, making cooperative responses especially important.

Attention then shifted to a joint contribution from Germany and Italy, which explored payment-blocking strategies used to disrupt transactions linked to illegal operators. Both jurisdictions shared their experiences implementing restrictions designed to limit the financial channels available to non-compliant businesses, offering insight into how such measures can be deployed effectively while balancing consumer protection and operational feasibility.

France followed with a detailed session examining the use of artificial intelligence in customer relationship management (CRM). Their presentation also addressed conflict-of-interest concerns in sports betting markets, particularly cases where data analytics and commercial incentives may intersect with monitoring duties. This dialogue reflected ongoing debates within Europe regarding how technological tools should be applied in gambling environments without creating risk for integrity or public trust.

Italy contributed an additional perspective by discussing its model for face-to-face self-exclusion registration. Officials provided an overview of procedural requirements and how in-person verification has influenced the reliability and administration of responsible gambling systems.

Austria concluded the technical sessions with an outline of the FATF mutual evaluation program and the new European legislative package on anti-money-laundering measures. Their presentation highlighted the importance of harmonizing AML approaches and ensuring alignment with global standards set by the Financial Action Task Force.

Strengthening Cross-Border Dialogue and Looking Ahead to the International Congress

The meeting closed with remarks from the Spanish delegation, which stressed the benefits of maintaining a consistent, collaborative channel among European regulators. Officials noted that sharing practical experiences, regulatory strategies, and enforcement challenges helps reinforce common standards and improve the collective response to risks emerging in the gambling ecosystem.

Several of the regulators who participated in the Madrid meeting—specifically those representing Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain—are also scheduled to take part in the “1st International Gaming Congress: The Social Impact of Gaming,” organized by the DGOJ. Their contribution will feature in the Congress’s opening panel, titled “Challenges and perspectives of gambling regulation in Europe.” The session will offer an opportunity to present ongoing initiatives, engage in structured dialogue about shared regulatory priorities, and reflect on policy developments expected to shape the sector across Europe in the coming years.

Source:

Encuentro europeo de reguladores del juego en la sede de la DGOJ, ordenacionjuego.es, November 12, 2025.