Located in the southwestern part of Europe on the Iberian Peninsula, Spain is situated at the meeting point of European and African continents. Spain is bounded to the west by Portugal, the Bay of Biscay lies to the north, France and Andorra are to the northeast and across the Strait of Gibraltar to the south lies Morocco. Knowing the environment of betting and the rules of sports betting in Spain is crucial. This article aims at elaborating on the sports betting platform in Spain, this includes gambling laws and the best betting sites in Spain.
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Table of Contents
Summary of Key Events
History of Regulation of Gambling in Spain
Spain has a long history of gambling and the activity has changed a lot over time. In the initial months of the civil war in 1936, gambling was banned meaning that enthusiasts had to gamble in hiding. But, starting from 1977, there was a liberalization of the laws in Spain where almost all types of gambling were legalized.
Key Milestones:
- 1977: The legalisation of majority of the gambling activities.
- 2006: Legalization of the formal laws for online sports betting.
- 2011: Legalization of Online Gambling through the Spanish Gambling Act passed.
Regulatory Authority of Betting Sites in Spain
Gambling is legal in Spain but is regulated at the federal as well as the regional level. The main regulating authority in the sphere of online gambling is the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego – DGOJ).
Functions of DGOJ:
- Issuance of gambling licenses.
- Enforcement of gambling laws.
- Ensuring, checking, and enforcing the compliance as well as penalties.
The legal and illegal Bets
Spain has embraced almost all forms of betting which are;
- Sports Betting: The services provided include the fixed odds, the live betting and the exchange betting.
- Lotteries: This business is the sole responsibility of SELAE and ONCE.
- Casinos: Including the popular games like poker, roulette, blackjack, and many others.
- Raffles and Contests: Subject to certain permits and or licenses.
Nevertheless, bets of other types, especially those not regulated by the DGOJ are strictly prohibited.
Gambling Licensing and Fees in Spain
To perform a betting site in Spain there is a need to acquire two general and two specific licenses which are issued at certain windows. Fees and taxes are also charged in relation to these licenses but the charges differ.
License Types and Fees:
- General License for Betting: It also covers the three main categories of bets; the fixed odds, the pool and the exchange betting.
- General License for Contests: Licence for one event but applicable to multiple events.
- General License for Other Games: Roulette, blackjack, slots and so on.
- Tax Rates: It ranges from 10 percent to 20 percent of Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR).
Taxation Structure
Spain has a proper taxation system for gambling and it has rules and regulations on the taxation of gambling activities.
- Online Gambling: Levied at 20% of GGR.
- Land-based Casinos: Ranges from 15 percent to 58 percent based on the area.
- Gambling Machines: The annual fixed tax is €3500 approximately.
- Sports Betting: Dependent on the area it ranges from 10 to 20 percent.
Popular Top 3 Betting Sites in Spain
There are many legal betting sites in Spain where many people place their bets and there is a wide variety of options.
Top 3 Betting Sites
Dafabet
Dafabet
Features: Many markets, competitive odds, and live stream.
Welcome Offer: New customer offer, minimum deposit £10. Up to £130 in free bets. Plus a £5 free bet every week.Up To £130 + £5 Free Bets
Betmaster
Betmaster
Features: The mobile application with an interface that is easy to use and free bets as the welcome bonus.
Welcome Offer: Up to £1000 + £10 free bet.Up To £1000 + £10 Free Bets
20Bet
20Bet
Features: A variety of markets and an option of choosing from the payment methods.
Welcome Offer: Up to £150 + get £150 on your next deposit to bet for free.Up To £150 + Recharge £150 Free Bets
Major Events in Spanish Sports History
This paper focuses on Spain as a country with a long history of sports and its relation to betting.
Key Sporting Events
- 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona: An event that was able to demonstrate Spain’s capacity to host such an event in the international scene.
- 1982 FIFA World Cup: Emphasized on Spain football team.
- 2010 FIFA World Cup Win: Secured Spain’s position in the world football.
Sports Star Glory
Spain is not left out in the list of countries that boast of legend sportsmen and women.
Notable Athletes
- Rafael Nadal: Undoubtedly one of the all time great tennis players with 19 Grand Slam victories.
- Fernando Alonso: A man who is a two time Formula One World Champion.
- Pau Gasol: An NBA player who has two championship title wins to his name.
Gambling Laws in Spain’s Neighboring Countries
Spain has neighbors with different approaches to the regulation of gambling.
France
- Legal restrictions on gambling with the state supervising the provision of online gambling services.
- All the operators need to acquire the following licenses.
Portugal
- Like Spain, the Portuguese legal framework is very elaborate.
- Many permits are needed for the online as well as the conventional based gambling operations.
Andorra
- The market that has less activities in gambling.
- It is organized mainly through state-owned corporations.
Conclusion
Acquiring knowledge on the structure of betting sites in Spain and the general framework of Spain Sports Betting empowers you to make sound decisions. In the scope of the laws, betting sites, and sports accomplishments, Spain presents a complete and well-organized system for betting.
FAQ about Betting Sites in Spain
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