DGOJ replaces 'play responsibly' with mandatory risk warnings in ads
A DGOJ resolution published 6 October 2026 requires gambling ads to carry set risk warnings and an 18+ message, applying 60 days after publication.
By Oliwer Brewitz, Head of Marketing
Key changes
- 'Play responsibly' message replaced by one of three set harm warnings
- Fixed minors warning 'Solo para mayores de 18 años' and link to juegoseguro.es
- Spoken warning of at least two seconds at the end of audiovisual ads
- Warning band of at least 15% height and full width on display, video-sharing and outdoor ads
- Operator and affiliate sites must show a 15% overlay for five seconds
What changed
A DGOJ resolution of 18 September 2026, published in the BOE on 6 October 2026, uses Articles 10 and 11 of Royal Decree 958/2020 to make a harm warning compulsory in all commercial communications and to replace the 'play responsibly' message. The warning is one of: 'La ludopatía es un riesgo del juego', 'La probabilidad de ser un jugador que pierde dinero es del 75 %' or 'Las pérdidas del total de jugadores superan en 4 veces sus ganancias', together with a link to www.juegoseguro.es. The minors warning is fixed as 'Solo para mayores de 18 años'. The resolution applies 60 days after publication. Contracts signed before publication may run for three months without adapting.
What it means for advertising
In TV and other audiovisual services, the first message must be spoken at the end of the spot for at least two seconds; the 18+ warning is spoken or shown as a band covering 15% of the height across the full width. Display, banner, pop-up and separable video-sharing ads must carry the warning band at the bottom, at least 15% high and full width, for the whole communication. Outdoor and other in-person media use the same band; very small formats may use 'El juego es un riesgo'. Operator and affiliate sites must show the messages as a centred overlay of at least 15% of the visible screen for five seconds, and operator sites must show them permanently. Format rules fix Helvetica bold black text on white with an 18-pixel black frame.
What operators should do
Rebuild creative templates for every format before the resolution applies, including spoken end lines for video and CTV and the 15% band for display and DOOH. Rotate the three written messages evenly within each campaign. Update affiliate agreements so partner sites implement the overlay. Track contracts signed before 6 October 2026 so they are adapted within three months. Brief media owners and DOOH suppliers on the band size so that it is not cropped.
Full rules: Spain regulation brief · All Spain updates