Spain requires casinos to verify payment method owners
Online gambling operators in Spain must now confirm that each payment method belongs to the player using it. Royal Decree 813/2026 was published in the BOE on 10 October 2026 and takes effect on 28 October.
The rule
Before processing deposits and withdrawals, operators must verify that the card or e-wallet is owned by the registered account holder and keep a record of the first check. This applies across websites, apps and other interactive channels and updates the rules under Law 10/2010 on preventing money laundering and terrorist financing.
- Published 10 October; in force from 28 October 2026.
- Existing customers have six months to verify.
- Unverified players can deposit and play but not withdraw.
- Accounts that are never verified are closed and refunded.
Transition period
During the six months, existing customers can carry on depositing and playing, but withdrawals are blocked until verification is complete. If the check is never done, the operator ends the contract and refunds the balance, including held winnings, in line with anti-money laundering rules.
Operators have the same six months to upgrade their payment and identity controls. Remote identification must meet Sepblac standards, and the DNI identity card is accepted in physical or digital form.
Our advice
Paying with a method in your own name avoids withdrawal delays anywhere. See our guides to Interac casinos, instant withdrawal casinos and Visa casinos.
Source: SBC News, 14 October 2026. This article is based on publicly reported news; our editors summarised and rewrote it for readers in Ontario.