| Updated: September 26, 2025Located in the far southwest of Europe, Spain is a beautiful country that attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. When we think of Spain, the first things that come to mind are flamenco and football. It would not be an exaggeration to say that football is the most popular and widely played sport in Spain.
La Liga, the top division of Spanish football, is considered the best in the world. Spaniards are also fond of other sports, such as basketball, tennis, and cycling. Their love of sports explains why the country’s sports betting market is flourishing. In January 2023, the Spanish regulator reported that gross gambling revenue (GGR) reached €240.83 million in Q3 2022, with sports betting accounting for 36.97% of the GGR.
Best Sports Betting Sites in Spain
In 2011, Spain introduced new legislation to regulate online gambling and sports betting at the federal level. Operators that wish to offer their services in Spain must obtain a license from the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego, or DGOJ). Spanish bettors can choose from a wide range of reliable betting sites. Below are some licensed sportsbooks that may pique your interest.
Best Sports Betting Bonuses in Spain
Betting sites in Spain allow sports fans to benefit from several types of bonuses. However, in 2020, Spain prohibited operators from offering welcome bonuses to new customers. Under the revised Royal Decree, only bettors who have had an account for more than a month and have made at least three deposits can claim a sports betting promotion.
Acca Insurance Free Bets Enhanced OddsAcca Insurance
Accumulator bets, also known as parlay bets, are popular among sports fans because they can deliver high payouts. This bet type allows punters to combine multiple selections into a single wager. An accumulator pays out only when all selections win; if even one loses, the entire bet fails. Some online sportsbooks offer an Acca Insurance promotion: if your accumulator loses by just one selection, the sportsbook refunds your stake in free bet credits.
Free Bets
Free bets are attractive because they let sports fans place wagers without risking their own funds. You can use a free bet on any sport you like, but be sure to meet the minimum odds requirements. Remember, you cannot withdraw the stake from a free bet; however, any profit generated by a winning free bet is yours to keep.
Enhanced Odds
Because licensed sports betting sites that serve Spanish punters may no longer offer welcome bonuses, operators have shifted their focus to rewarding existing users with lucrative promotions. Some bookmakers now boost the odds on selected outcomes, giving sports fans the chance to win more money for the same level of risk.
Betting Regulation in Spain
Spain has a long history of gambling; the pastime was first legalized in 1276. Over the years, the legal status of gambling has changed dramatically. From 1939 to 1975, the fascist Francisco Franco ruled Spain. After his death, the country transitioned to democracy and is now a democratic constitutional monarchy. During the Francoist dictatorship, all forms of gambling were outlawed.
In 1977, Spain regulated gambling and sports betting, allowing each of its 17 provinces to establish its own rules for the industry. Most provinces legalized gambling and sports betting; however, the law did not address online gambling and sports betting. Consequently, offshore betting sites could operate in Spain without facing prosecution.
Spanish sports fans actively used the services of foreign betting sites. As a result, the country lost millions of euros in GGR, prompting legislators to amend Spanish gambling laws and regulate the online market. In addition, Spain has been a member of the European Union since 1986, meaning it must comply with the EU’s laws regarding free trade.
Spain Regulates Online Sports Betting Important Sports Betting RestrictionsSpain Regulates Online Sports Betting
In 2007, the Spanish Parliament passed the Law on Measures to Develop the Information Society, which required the government to regulate online gambling and sports betting and to establish principles governing the iGaming market. Because there was no dedicated gambling regulator at the time, the state lottery entity had to lead the regulatory process. On 29 May 2011, the Gaming Act came into force, regulating all forms of online gambling.
Under the Gaming Act, foreign operators may offer their services to Spanish residents if they obtain a license from the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ). The Spanish gambling regulator issues licenses, resolves disputes between bettors and operators, and prosecutes betting sites that operate illegally on Spanish soil. Operators that violate Spanish gambling law face substantial fines; however, the law does not impose penalties on sports fans who use unlicensed betting sites.
Operators must meet specific conditions to obtain a Spanish license. There are two types of licenses – general and singular. A general license is awarded to operators that satisfy technical, financial, reputational, and reliability requirements. Singular licenses are granted for each type of game an operator intends to offer. Although Spain’s gambling law is clear-cut, many reputable sportsbooks avoid the Spanish market, which is unsurprising considering the burdensome taxes imposed on operators.
Important Sports Betting Restrictions
Online sportsbooks licensed by the Spanish regulator may not accept bettors under the minimum gambling age of 18. Every Spanish punter should also know that gambling winnings are fully taxable. Lottery winnings exceeding €2,500 are subject to a 20% tax, while a different tax scheme applies to profits from casino gambling and sports betting.
Winnings of up to €12,450 are taxed at 19%. If your profits are between €12,450 and €20,200, the tax rate rises to 24%. Earnings from €20,200 to €35,200 are taxed at 30%, and profits above €35,200 face a 37% rate. A 45% tax applies to profits of €60,000 to €300,000, and winnings over €300,000 are taxed at 47%.
In 2020, the Spanish government proposed restrictions on gambling commercials and bonuses. The draft rules permitted gambling ads on TV and radio only between 1 am and 5 am, while live sports betting commercials could air between 8 pm and 5 am. A €100 cap on welcome bonuses was also suggested.
The country ultimately tightened these measures, prohibiting operators from offering welcome bonuses altogether. Under the current rules, only sports fans who have held an account for more than a month and have made at least three deposits are eligible for a bonus. Gambling and sports betting companies may advertise their services, including live betting, only from 1 am to 5 am, and they are no longer allowed to sign stadium naming rights deals or place their brands on sports teams’ shirts.
Spain’s gambling regulator has also introduced mandatory daily, weekly, and monthly deposit limits. Spanish punters may deposit no more than €600 per day, €1,500 per week, and €3,000 per month.