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(AsiaGameHub) –   A new protocol has been communicated to licensed gambling operators in Spain, mandating enhanced customer identity verification and the confirmation of players’ tax statuses.

This initiative was launched by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, which holds federal responsibility for Spain’s gambling industry. The Directorate General for Gambling Regulation (DGOJ) will lead the implementation, working in conjunction with the State Tax Agency (AEAT).

The protocol is a direct countermeasure to a rising trend of identity theft associated with online gambling, where winnings are fraudulently reported using stolen personal details.

Data from 2025 shows the DGOJ received 8,675 complaints concerning impersonated taxpayers, a figure that represents a 12% increase from the previous year and highlights the growing severity of the problem.

Anxieties among regulators were compounded by amendments to Spain’s tax reporting rules, which took effect in 2025. The AEAT reduced the reporting requirement for gambling winnings from €1,000 (£871) down to €300 for individuals with an annual income exceeding €22,000.

Although the goal was to boost fiscal transparency, this adjustment has heightened the risk of fraudulent claims, as even small wins can now create tax obligations under a stolen identity.

Within the reported incidents, over 7,600 cases implicated people listed on Spain’s self-exclusion registry. Regulators also identified situations where minors circumvented age controls by using the identities of others, frequently family members.

The new framework obligates operators to adopt more rigorous verification procedures and to assist authorities in detecting suspicious account behavior. The protocol aims to simplify the process for victims to report issues and to facilitate the swift rectification of fraudulently incurred tax debts.

To aid in implementation, the DGOJ has rolled out the PACS (Automated Case Management System) and a specialized online portal. This portal offers instructions on reporting identity theft and resolving tax status with the AEAT, while the system improves coordination between regulators, police, and tax officials to speed up investigations and resolutions.

According to the regulator, identity fraud tactics are growing more advanced, with criminal groups employing automated tools to mass-produce accounts and take advantage of promotional offers like welcome bonuses. Sports betting remains the primary source of most incidents, but a significant surge in online casino-related fraud points to a widening of the issue across the gambling market.

Authorities will keep assessing the protocol’s performance as a component of Spain’s broader regulatory approach, and additional actions are anticipated if identity misuse and related tax threats continue within the licensed sector.