Everything you need to know about casinos in Spain
The Spanish casino scene is thriving. Whether you play at a physical venue or at an online casino, you’ll be enjoying a safely regulated environment guarded by strong controls over licensing, consumer safeguards and advertising.
Spain’s laws treat both online and physical casinos equally. Any operators must hold a licence from the Directorate General for Gambling Regulation and meet all the rules, like verifying players’ ages, not using celebrity endorsements, and not targeting ads to underage players.
Casino operators who breach the rules face severe fines. Unlicensed operators have already faced multi-million-euro penalties.
Spain’s booming casino scene
Both types of casino are going through successful periods of growth in Spain. As in many progressive countries, online casinos dominate revenue with the majority of that coming from slots, followed by live roulette, blackjack and poker.
Online playing has grown by around 20% in the last year. Nearly two million Spaniards played at least once online in 2024, and up to 150,000 new accounts are opened at online casinos every month.
At the same time, Spain’s physical casinos are doing great business too. Casinos are regularly making millions of euros annually and are especially popular in Catalonia, Madrid and Valencia.
The latest trends include multi-channel offerings that combine online games with real-world locations.
Online casinos may reign in Spain thanks to their huge numbers, but the in-person casino scene remains very strong, especially in the key population centres.
Spain’s casino venues
The Iberian physical casino scene is known for its elegance, history and relaxed vibe. In the capital Madrid, you’ll find venues like Casino de Madrid, which is housed in a grand former social club from 1836. Guests here play in palace-like surroundings and enjoy art, culture and fine cuisine too.
Just outside the capital, Gran Madrid Casino Torrelodones, is Spain's largest casino. It attracts half a million visitors a year. Inside, there are 40 table games, 20 poker tables and more than 200 slot and video-poker machines. The venue has private rooms, virtual-reality zones, a boxing venue and the opportunity for fine dining too.
In Barcelona, Casino Barcelona is another top venue in an entertainment complex that overlooks the Mediterranean. It offers poker rooms, roulette, blackjack, live performances, multiple restaurants and cocktail bars.
On the Costa del Sol, Casino Marbella is known for its clientele of high-rollers and wealthy tourists. This venue is known for poker tournaments, VIP services, stylish interiors and yet more gourmet dining.
And in the north, Gran Casino del Sardinero in Santander has been operating since 1916. It's a neoclassical landmark offering roulette, blackjack, poker, slot machines, multiple dining venues and even cultural events like operas and art exhibitions.
What are Spanish casinos like?
Firstly, expect to find the classic table games like roulette in its European single-zero form, plus blackjack, poker, as well as the latest slots and video poker machines.
Many of the casinos are grand architectural landmarks in historic venues or beachfront resorts. Often, they double as cultural hubs with restaurants, live shows, art displays and themed events.
They are classy venues, so smart-casual styles are usually required, particularly in the evening.
Spanish casinos usually offer luxury, culture, cuisine, and history to create memorable experiences for locals and visitors – and that’s why they continue to thrive in the digital remote-access age.
How does Spanish gaming compare within Europe?
Spain's online gambling market set a revenue record in 2024, up 18% from the previous year. The latest in-play betting helped fuel the rise. Gaming marketing has surged after recent court rulings eased restrictions on advertising. Player numbers are now approaching two million. Land-based casinos are enjoying steady business too and are seeing booms in the use of hybrid apps tied to physical clubs and cashless payments.
Across Europe, gaming is expanding too. The continent’s overall casino revenue is up 5%. The digital market is growing fast, but overall, the land-based gaming revenue is still slightly higher across the whole continent.
How Spain compares with the UK
Britain’s casino market is much larger than Spain’s. The UK's online revenue is several times Spain's online casino receipts. The Spanish market may be comparatively mid-tier in Europe, but, like the UK, it is growing fast.
Land-based venues continue to attract tourists and locals with their mix of glamour, culture and entertainment. Online platforms are providing the real dynamic growth story – with record revenues and new player registrations.
Spanish growth is fuelled by mobile play and the blending of online with physical venues. The country has found a balance of tradition and technology.
Both countries benefit from some of the world’s strictest regulations and consumer protections, which create a safe and reliable playing environment. Industry experts expect that both the UK and Spain will see rapid, continued expansion in the casino market due to the ever-increasing demand.
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