About the Spanish Gaming Commission
The Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling is a division of Spain’s Ministry of Finance, and reports directly to the State Secretary of Finance. This body is responsible for licensing gambling activates, as well as collecting fees. They must also provide reporting about any reserved lottery funds.
The gaming commission does more than just license casinos-they also have the authority to crack down on illegal gambling. Among licensed operators, they may initiate disciplinary procedures for those who refuse to obey the rules.
The commission will also promote and conduct studies as to the effect of gambling on players and society as a whole. Through advertising campaigns and media outlets, they work to provide awareness of gambling issues as promote responsible gaming habits.
Types of Licenses
The commission issues three different types of gambling licenses:
- General license, which is good for up to ten years.
- Single license, a type that is renewable anywhere from one to five years.
- Permits, which are issued only for occasional activities and have varying lengths.
Most casino operators will need both a general and a single license. A general license will allow them to conduct online gambling, while a single license is needed for every type of game offered. Casino owners can apply for a single license at the same time as a general license or at any time after being issued one. Before accepting any bets, a single license is required for the following games:
- Sports betting
- Horse racing
- Contests
- Poker
- Bingo
- Roulette
- Blackjack
- Complementary games
- Slots
Bacarrat
Requirements
Online casino operators who apply for a Spanish gaming license must meet certain requirements, including:
- Full testing of any casino software from an approved testing laboratory.
- A “gambling central unit” that is accessible to authorities and available for oversight.
- Restricting wagers only to Spanish citizens.
- The submission of an operational plan for review by the commission.
- Being legally structured as a Spanish public limited company. For online casino operators, this means having a domain that ends in es.
Certain fees are required as part of the licensing process. Casino operators are also subject to a 1% administrative fee, and must remain current on their taxes. The tax rates range from between 10% and 25%, depending on the operation.
Licensing Process
To obtain a license, casino operators must submit an application along with certain financial and legal documents. They must also include a preliminary certification report from an independent testing laboratory that has been approved by the commission.
If the submissions are satisfactory, an operator will then be granted a provisional license. This license will authorize the launch of an online casino pending a successful final certification report. That report must be submitted no later than four months following approval.After receiving the final certification report, the commission will then award the final license.
Conclusion
The Spanish Gaming Commission has broad authority to oversee gambling operations in that country. Through a set of uniform standards, the commission has proven itself very effective at keeping online casinos honest and preventing problem gambling. As such, a license from the SGC holds a great deal of weight, and can serve as a sign that you have found a reputable online gaming site. Some virtual casinos that have earned a Spanish gaming license include bet365, Betsson, William Hill, and Interwetten.
