There are plenty of reasons to travel to Spain, be it temporarily or permanently. However, if you fancy a flutter while you're there, it’s best to be familiar with the online Spanish betting scene. Read on to find out about the gambling laws in the country as well as the best Spanish betting sites, popular payment methods, and more!
- Best Betting Sites We Recommend for Betting in Spain
- Online Betting in Spain
- Is Online Betting Legal in Spain?
- Important Things to Know
- Choosing a Good Betting Site in Spain
- Best Payment Methods for Players in Spain
- Live Betting in Spain
- How to Bet Online in Spain
- Is Sports Betting Popular in Spain?
- Other Country Betting Guides - Click Each Flag to Learn More
- Best Spanish Betting Sites FAQs
- ThePuntersPage Final Say
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#1
 LeoVegas
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T&Cs APPLY, 18+ ONLY
Key terms - New players only. Claim by placing a min deposit £10 via "My Offers" page within 30 days. Skrill/Neteller deposits excl. 7 days to stake max £10 in-play. Max. extra winnings £100. 18+ | BeGambleAware.org | LeoSafePlay.com | Play responsibly! Full T&Cs apply BeGambleAware.org #ad |
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#2
 bet365
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T&Cs APPLY, 18+ ONLY
18+ - Offer for new customers at bet365. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and Full T&Cs apply. Registration Required. BeGambleAware.org #ad |
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#3
 Betway
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T&Cs APPLY, 18+ ONLY
Min Deposit: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet on a Football or Horse Racing multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. This is offer is valid for 7 days from your new account being registered. 50 Bonus Spins credited on placement of qualifying Acca bet.50x bonus wagering applies as do weighting requirements, bonus Spins only available on selected games and expires 7 days after being awarded. Debit card deposits only (exclusions apply). 18+. Full T&Cs apply. . Bet The Responsible Way. Full terms apply. BeGambleAware.org #ad |
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#4
 Betfair
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T&Cs APPLY, 18+ ONLY
New customer offer. Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards or Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org #ad |
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#5
 bwin
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T&Cs APPLY, 18+ ONLY
18+ | New UK players only | Min deposit req. £10 | Certain deposit methods excluded | Place 1 sport bet (3+ selections) | Excl Horse Racing | Min stake £10 | Max stake £20 | Min Odds 2/1 (3.0) | Max FreeBet £20 for football only | FreeBet valid for 7 days | FreeBet stake not returned | Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org #ad |
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#6
 William Hill
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T&Cs APPLY, 18+ ONLY
New customers using Promo code H30 only, Min £10/€10 stake, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 2 x £15/€15, free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. See full terms below. Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org #ad |
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#7
 Mr Green
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T&Cs APPLY, 18+ ONLY
T&Cs apply. New players only. Qualifying bet(s) must have minimum odds of 3/1 and must be settled before triggering free bet. Free Bet must be used on an accumulator with 3 or more selections. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org #ad |
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#8
 Betfred
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T&Cs APPLY, 18+ ONLY
New 18+ UK customers only. Register using the promo code WELCOME40, deposit and place first bet of £10+ on Sports (cumulative Evens+) within 7 days of registration. First bet must be on Sports. £30 in Free Bets and £10 in Free Spins (50x20p) credited within 10 hours of bet settlement. Free Bet stakes are not included in any returns. Bonuses have a 7-day expiry. Payment restrictions apply. SMS verification and/or Proof of I.D and address may be required Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org #ad |
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#9
Betsson
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T&Cs APPLY, 18+ ONLY
Please note: Betsson welcome offer not available for UK residents. This offer is only eligible to new customers who haven't used a sports welcome offer of Betsson before. Players will need to verify their age before being able to register an account. Bonus amount must be wagered 10x at a minimum odds of 1.50. System bets do not count towards wagering. Wagering requirements must be met within 30 days for bonus money to become real money. Bonus money which has not been converted to real money after 30 days will be forfeited. The minimum deposit for the sport welcome bonus is €10. Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org #ad |
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Online Betting in Spain
Spain is a nation passionate about sport, so it may not be much of a surprise to learn that the Spanish betting scene is huge. Although gambling was legalised in 2011, the first betting licence wasn't granted until 2012. This slow start wasn't ideal, but the process was refined all the same, and many bookmakers began to enter the market as a result.
Betting in Spain has become immensely popular, with a report claiming that 9 in 10 Spanish adults engage in some form of online gaming on a consistent basis.
One of the main barriers of entry in the country, however, is Spanish income tax law. Tax rates are quite high for both operators and players and can be an obstacle to betting in Spain.
Is Online Betting Legal in Spain?
Online gambling is regulated in Spain thanks to the Spanish Gambling Act, which has been in place since 2011. Before this law passed, betting in Spain was restricted and unregulated, with only a select few companies legally allowed to offer their services.
For an operator to offer their services in Spain, they have to apply for and receive a licence from Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ), the government-controlled Spanish regulatory body, first. If successful, they usually operate with an .es domain name and are granted a licence from Juego Seguro (“Safe Play“).
Spanish Betting Tax Laws
Spanish tax laws are very different from those in other European countries. Betting operators have to pay taxes, which is standard, but there is also a complex system of tax rates depending on the winnings of the players.
For bookmakers it's quite simple: 20% of all gross gambling revenue (GGR) is taxed.
For the gambler, the situation is a little more complicated, as winnings are treated as taxable income. There is a four-tier tax system, which is as follows:
| Gross Winnings | Tax Rate |
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| Up to €12,450 | 19% tax |
| €12,450 - €20,200 | 24% tax |
| €20,200 - €35,200 | 30% tax |
| Above €35,200 | 37% tax |
It's important to know that losing bets can be deducted from the total winnings, i.e. you don't have to pay tax every time you win – only if you win more than you lose.
As of January 2023, gross winnings below €300 do not need to be declared. However, the Ministry of Finance is planning to change the current law to cover all winnings, including those under €300.
Important Things to Know
- You must be at least 18 years old to bet in Spain.
- Winnings up to €12,450 are taxed at a rate of 19%. Tax rates increase at certain intervals, depending on how much is won.
- The euro (€) is accepted by all bookmakers operating in Spain.
- You’ll also have to enter your DNI number (found on your Documento nacional de identidad, the national ID card). Bookies may request a copy of this document, as well as proof of your address, to verify your account.
- Most Spanish betting sites will be set to the Spanish language by default, though many of them will allow you to change to English or other languages.
Choosing a Good Betting Site in Spain
Before you decide to create an account with any betting site online, there are a few boxes that the bookie in question should tick before you go ahead and register. We've gone through the most important of these below, explaining why they are important to you as a punter.
First of all, you should check to see whether the site is licensed to operate in Spain. If they bear the .es country domain and display the Juego Seguro logo at the bottom of the page, then these are good indicators that it is legitimate. If you want to be extra sure, you can check out this list of licensed Spanish bookies to see whether the operator you'd like to register with in appears there.
Technically, you don’t have to bet with these sites – you’ll still be able to find and register with bookies that aren’t licensed. However, this isn’t advisable. If anything goes wrong, you won’t be able to get any help. Stick to the sites mentioned in this article to avoid any risks.
Also worth taking into account is what kind of welcome bonus is on offer. Claiming these promotions after signing up to a new site is a smart way to boost your bankroll and to get yourself started the right way. There are plenty of Spanish betting sites with generous bonuses up for grabs – bet365 is a great example – and this should be part of your decision-making process while sizing up your next bookie.
Finally, regardless of where you’re betting from, we always recommend you choose a bookie that has a proven track record for competitive odds. While we avoid recommending operators who don’t offer players value for their money, we still suggest you go ahead and calculate the odds overround before registering.
Best Payment Methods for Players in Spain
For UK punters, there's nothing new when it comes to betting payment methods in Spain. Most deposit into their account using well-known methods like debit cards (such as Visa and Mastercard), e-wallets (like PayPal, Skrill, Trustly, and NETELLER), bank transfers, and paysafecard.
It’s worth pointing out that, unlike in the UK, players in Spain are allowed to deposit using their credit cards. Keep in mind, though, that there might be some restrictions on deposit methods when it comes to claiming welcome offers.
Most of these methods can be used for withdrawals, but the process will take longer in comparison to deposits. Withdrawal times and minimum amounts differ across different sites, so be sure to browse through the T&Cs to know what to expect.
Live Betting in Spain
Live betting is an excellent way to experience betting amidst all the chaos and drama an event could provide. Spain has an in-play market on par with the rest of Europe’s elite betting markets, meaning you won’t be missing out on any of the action.
The top betting sites will also all offer some sort of in-matched stats, ranging from general statistics to a live score, and commentary. This is excellent for punters looking to make in-play bets even if they aren’t actually watching the event.
Live Streaming
Some betting platforms even have the option to watch matches live from the site. This feature is amazing for sports fans, especially for sports which don’t get much coverage on regular TV.
Not every bookie offers this however, so we suggest checking the terms and conditions of your operator of choice to make sure that live-streaming services are provided.
How to Bet Online in Spain
The betting offer in Spain is relatively similar to that of the UK, as many international bookmakers hold a Spanish gambling licence. The large number of well-known providers means that you can start betting without having to learn how a Spanish website works.
In some cases, it may be advisable to use a VPN – especially if you want to continue using a particular account. If you decide to do this, make sure that your bookie is a VPN-friendly site.
Is Sports Betting Popular in Spain?
It’s no secret that Spain loves sport, especially when you consider how many Spanish athletes shine in their respective fields in front of an international audience. The Spanish football team, known as La Furia Roja, boasts some of the best players in the world, having claimed both the Euros and World Cup trophies in recent years.
Not to mention the likes of Rafa Nadal in tennis, Jorge Lorenzo in Moto GP, Fernando Alonso in Formula 1, Pau Gasol in basketball… the list goes on!
Other Country Betting Guides - Click Each Flag to Learn More
Australia
Brazil
Belgium
Canada
Denmark
France
Finland
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Hong Kong
India
ireland
Italy
Netherlands
Nigeria
portugal
Sweden
SA
Ukraine
UK
USA
Best Spanish Betting Sites FAQs
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Online gambling is completely legal in Spain, and betting sites can operate so long as they have acquired a licence from Juego Seguro.
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Yes, a 19% tax will be levied on all profits over €300. If your total profit exceeds €12,450, you'll have to pay 24% tax, and depending on the amount of the profit, the rate increases further to 37%.
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Debit and credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard, e-wallets like Skrill, NETELLER, PayPal and Trustly, as well as bank transfers and paysafecard, are all popular payment methods accepted by Spanish betting sites.
ThePuntersPage Final Say
Boasting a population of almost 50 million, the country of Spain is gifted with exceptional cuisine, fine sunshine, and jaw-dropping scenery. If you’re looking to place a few bets from the sunny Spanish shore, you’re in luck! Betting in Spain is a breeze, with a host of superb welcome offers to redeem and great odds to take advantage of. There are many familiar bookies to choose from as well, so there’s no need to stray from any trustworthy names you're used to. Be safe and enjoy punting in España!
Jeremy is a die hard Evertonian and a massive sports fan. If he’s not watching Everton, he’s either playing football or watching whatever sport he can find on TV. With a keen interest in sports betting, sports writing is a match made in heaven.
