How to know if an online casino is licensed in Spain?
The first step is not to read a commercial list of “best casinos”, but to identify the company that operates the website and search for it in the General Directorate of Gambling Regulation (DGOJ). The DGOJ publishes information on operators with a license for state-level gaming activities. The visible brand, the legal company and the domain do not always share the same name. Therefore, checking only a logo or a seal in the footer does not offer enough security.
Step 1. Identify the responsible entity
Look in the legal conditions for the name of the company, the address, the corporate data and the types of games it offers. Copy the exact domain, including minor spelling variations. If the website does not indicate who operates the service or refers to contradictory pages, it is advisable to stop the verification before providing personal data or making payments.
Step 2. Open the official DGOJ search engine
On the DGOJ portal, go to Gambling operators → Licensed operators → Operator search engine. Find the entity, review the information and check which licenses and authorizations affect the specific service. A license linked to certain bets does not automatically equate to authorization for all casino games. It is also not enough for a company to have a commercial registration: the relevant authorization is the one required by gaming regulations.
Step 3. Check the .es domain
The DGOJ advises verifying that the internet gaming offer uses a .es domain, as required of licensed operators in this area. Still, the extension alone does not prove license: a domain may appear legitimate, impersonate a brand, or direct another company. The correct order is to check company, authorization, domain and product in official sources.
Do not confuse the betting site with a journalistic or gaming information website; the actual function of the service matters.
Step 4. Check which game is authorized
An operator may have different qualifications, permits and approvals. The DGOJ explains that only regulated gaming activities covered by the corresponding authorizations can be offered. Check if the website offers sports betting, slot machines, roulette or other products and if the authorization corresponds to that category. The list of operators may change, so the consultation date must be part of any information sheet.
Common warning signs
Be wary of domains that change a letter of a brand, pages without a verifiable company name, ads that promise guaranteed withdrawals, exclusive offers “only on Telegram” and links that ask you to deposit money to unlock a supposed previous prize. The DGOJ reminds that offering gambling without a qualifying title can constitute a serious infraction and that advertising illegal gambling is also prohibited.
What happens if there is a discrepancy?
Save screenshots of the domain, the advertised company and the registry query. If you suspect illegal gambling or prohibited advertising, use the DGOJ information channels. If it is a claim for a pending withdrawal against a licensed operator, first follow the corresponding customer service and claim process: it is not the same procedure as a general complaint of illegality.
Verifiable token example for BetVerity
A useful file is not limited to saying “graduate”. You must register: trade name; legal entity; contrasted domain; game categories covered; official source; verification date; and any identified limitations. If a piece of information cannot be verified, it is marked unconfirmed. This method avoids transforming a list of recommendations into a false legal guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
Are all .es websites authorized casinos? No. The domain must be verified along with the operator and the qualifying title.
Does a license from another country serve to offer online gaming in Spain? It does not replace the corresponding national authorization.
Where do I check if a brand has changed companies? Check the official search engine and the updated legal information of the domain.
Is the “safe play” seal sufficient proof? No. Seals can be copied; check the public source.
Information verified as of 10/27/2026. This article provides licensing education, not a gambling recommendation.
Official sources:
https://www.ordenacionjuego.es/operadores-juego
https://www.ordenacionjuego.es/operadores-juego/operadores-licencia
https://www.ordenacionjuego.es/participantes-juego/juego-ilegal