New Spanish Decree Restricts Withdrawals Until Payments Verified

Online casino players in Spain will soon face new limits on accessing their winnings. A royal decree requires operators to confirm that each payment method belongs to the registered account holder before any cashouts are allowed. This change starts on October 28 2026 and includes a six month window for existing customers to complete checks. During this time deposits remain possible and play continues but winnings stay locked until verification succeeds. Players who skip the process risk losing access to their accounts entirely once the period ends. Remaining funds return only after anti money laundering reviews finish. Operators must also send reports on all account changes to the gambling authority.

How Payment Ownership Checks Operate

Operators must match the owner of every payment method to the person named on the gambling account. Records of these checks stay on file for initial transactions. The rule covers all online channels including apps and websites. Existing players keep using their current methods for deposits throughout the transition. Withdrawals however stay blocked until ownership is confirmed. At the close of six months any account without verification closes automatically. Balances including held winnings go back to players only if they pass required reviews. This setup forces players to act quickly on verification requests to avoid sudden account loss.

Key Deadlines Players Should Watch

The main start date arrives on October 28 2026 when the decree begins. Operators then have six months to finish all payment checks and system updates. After that point unverified accounts terminate with no option to continue. Later rules on electronic identification methods take effect after eighteen months from publication. Players need to respond to any ownership requests right away during the transition to keep withdrawal access open. Failure to verify leads directly to account closure and limited fund returns. Staying informed about these timelines helps avoid unexpected blocks on winnings or play.

Source: Blocked winnings put Spain gambling customers on a six-month clock