Chaotic Launch of Regulated Online Poker in Spain: What You Need to Know

The regulated online poker environment in Spain began on July 14, 2023, marking a new era for online poker in the country.

The majority of poker rooms and operators chose to migrate automatically to the new regulated environment, ignoring the DGOJ's Clarifying Note. This decision was driven by the desire to utilize the existing customer database and initial liquidity. The migration process for users was chaotic, with many experiencing unpleasant surprises due to poor communication from operators.

Operators did not communicate the changes clearly to their customers, leading to confusion and frustration. There will be no retracking or affiliate changes due to the migration, as the industry has decided against this option. The Secretary of State for the Treasury, Miguel Ferré, stated that poker winnings are taxed according to IRPF and losses cannot be deducted, causing alarm among players. Aureka decided to postpone promotional launches to provide support to confused users, prioritizing community needs over immediate gains.