According to recent research, Spain has one of the lowest rates of problem gambling globally.
The majority of Spanish gamblers participate in the publicly owned Sociedad Estatal Loterías y Apuestas del Estado (SELAE) and Organización Nacional de Ciegos Españoles (ONCE) lotteries.
About 6.5 million customers engage in gambling activities through private operators such as casinos, bingo halls, arcades, and online platforms.
Since the economic crisis of 2007, the number of gamblers in Spain has decreased, with over 90% of the population participating in gambling activities before the crisis.
The objective of this research was to analyze the relationship between Spanish society and gambling, providing objective data for public opinion, administrations, and the media.
The majority of Spanish gamblers play responsibly, being aware of the associated costs, similar to attending a show.
In response to concerns about excessive gambling participation, both the government and industry representatives support scientific studies that offer insights into social behavior towards gambling.
Draw-based lottery games are popular among the population, with millions of participants in various lotteries such as the Christmas Lottery, El Niño Lottery, Primitiva Lotteries, and ONCE scratchcard games.
| Lottery/Game | Number of Players |
|---|---|
| Christmas Lottery | 25.8 million |
| El Niño Lottery | 14.5 million |
| Primitiva Lotteries | 14 million |
| ONCE scratchcard games | 8.5 million |
The fastest-growing form of gambling is ONCE scratchcards, attracting 9.9% of the population and primarily appealing to players under 35 years old.
In terms of casinos, bingo halls, and gambling halls, there is a diverse demographic of players, spanning from 18 to 75 years old and across all social groups:
| Gambling Venue | Number of Players |
|---|---|
| Casinos | 2.2 million |
| Bingo halls | 2.4 million |
| Gaming rooms | 3 million |
| Type B arcade machines in hospitality venues | 1.5 million |
Online gambling in Spain represents less than €800m per year and accounts for only 7.7% of the total gambling spend in 2019.
Approximately 5 million customers play online at least once a year, with an average of 630,000 monthly players. Regular online gamblers make up 0.9% of the adult population, primarily consisting of men aged 26 to 35.
While lottery players are driven by the allure of potential jackpot wins, other forms of gambling attract participants seeking social interaction, skill demonstration, and entertainment.
Despite ongoing efforts by the government to address problem gambling concerns, the industry claims that the percentage of problem gamblers is low at 0.3% of players.
Stricter advertising controls are being implemented to further regulate gambling activities in Spain.
