Casinos in Spain

Introduction

Gambling has been a part of life for many Spaniards for a long time and it is as popular a pastime today as it has ever been. From slot machines in small "Salas de Juegos" (gaming halls) to the world’s biggest lottery, “El Gordo” ('The Fat One'), gambling is easily accessible for residents in a variety of forms. Slot machines are so prolific in Spain that you will find at least one in almost every bar.

Visitors and locals can travel to nearly any of the larger cities or tourist areas to find full-scale casinos with table games and entertainment or simply find a gaming hall with slots, video poker, and electronic roulette or blackjack as long as they aren’t worried about being served by a live dealer or croupier - live game hosts are only found in the “real” casinos.

Like in most places with a seasoned gambling environment, the traditional casinos of Spain offer separate areas for slots and table games like punto banco (baccarat), blackjack, European and American roulettes, and poker.

Poker players should keep in mind that since each region is regulated separately, poker room rules can vary considerably from one venue to another - cash games might be restricted to tournaments or only a certain type of game might be allowed there. You’d be hard-pressed to ever find a game of Sic Bo in Spain but some of the larger casinos in high-traffic tourist areas do offer craps.

Like most European casinos, those in Spain require you to provide ID and prove you are at least 18 years old to enter. You could also face a small entrance fee - usually anywhere from 2 to 5 euros. The gaming areas usually open in mid-afternoon and can go well into the wee hours of the morning.

History of Gambling in Spain

The earliest organized gambling establishments we find recorded in Spain began to appear in the 1800s. The British and French “gentlemen’s clubs” were the early models with wealthy men gathering to discuss the topics of the day and indulge in comestibles and refined well-heeled gambling.

Gambling establishments evolved over the years and organized gambling began to surround itself with culture as the venues attracted people looking to socialize, enjoy artistic performances, and of course, gamble. The backbone of the industry formed in the larger cities and in the tourist areas of the coast and occasionally on the outlying islands visited by wealthy foreigners.

Early in the 1900s, the constant cultural mixing brought international trends with it along with games from other countries. As technology progressed, so did the games offered at the more important Spanish casinos. While the law might change from time to time, patrons and hosts adjusted to fit the times, and through the years gambling has become entrenched in the Spanish culture and in the economy.

Legislation and Jurisdiction

Gambling regulation in Spain looks a bit complicated from the outside looking in since it is regulated national level as well as regionally. Spain is comprised of 17 autonomous communities along with the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla. Each of the autonomies has the authority to regulate gambling in its jurisdictions. The is goes for online as well as land-based gambling for the most part. The decentralized system means that some types of games can be permitted in one region but not in another. The clearest demonstration of this is seen in how each community maintains its own catalog of approved games. There is a list of games that have been approved at the federal level but each community can restrict any of them:

The Directorate-General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ) oversees gambling activity on a nationwide scale. The federally approved games include baccarat, bingo, blackjack, complementary games, contests, exchange horse racing, exchange sports betting, fixed-odds horse racing, fixed-odds sports betting, other exchange betting games, other fixed-odds betting, poker, pools on horse racing, pools on sports betting, roulette, and slots.

While the DGOJ is responsible for handling disputes and complaints from players when it comes to nationwide operators, individual regions still manage local gaming issues. Players who have a dispute with an online gambling operator holding a Spanish license must first go through the operator’s customer service. If a resolution can’t be reached within a month, players can escalate their complaints to the DGOJ at that point.

The gambling regulations in Spain are strictly worded and stringently enforced to make sure players are protected. There are several responsible gambling programs in place, and casinos are required to follow strict rules regarding advertising, fair gaming, and transparency. The DGOJ can help gamblers with self-exclusion, educational materials, and psychological help while organizations such as JugarBien provide proactive information that can help gamblers avoid problems in the first place. People who lose over €600 three weeks in a row can’t get a credit card from national banks.

Popular Spots and Games

You’ll find several world-class casinos in Spain. Most of them are found in the largest cities and most popular tourist haunts on the coast. Casino Gran Madrid Torrelodones is located just outside the capital and was the first to open in the Madrid region about 40 years ago. It is the largest in Spain with around 200 slot machines, 38 table games, and 25 poker tables. It’s a top pick for casual gamblers and high-rollers. You can learn more about this premiere gaming destination from the official Madrid tourism pages.

Casino Cirsa Valencia is another great Spanish casino in the city of Valencia. The casino gaming floor covers some 43,000 square feet (4,000 sqm) and has 116 gaming machines and 14 live tables. The casino’s slots are provided by the world’s leading game manufacturers, and there are plenty of table games like roulette, blackjack, and poker. Poker players will find tournaments including star-studded events like the Laroush Poker Series. High rollers will feel right at home in the exclusive "Casino Royale" VIP lounge.

Moving along to the south of Spain, we find Casino Admiral Granada. Being located in a coastal city the mix of clientele there can be more international in flavor. Like other Admiral casinos, this one is operated by the Novomatic Group and it offers over 100 gaming machines, along with live table games like roulette, blackjack, and Caribbean Stud Poker.

While it offers one of the most sought-after gambling experiences in Spain, there’s a lot more to the picture here. An event space hosts concerts, business meetings, and social gatherings and one of the main restaurants is an Asian-centric venue that features sushi and teppanyaki.

Novomatic runs two other Admiral Casinos in the south located in Seville and Roque.

On the Island of Ibiza, you’ll find a much more intimate venue that still provides an excellent gaming experience. Casino de Ibiza is located in the Ibiza Gran Hotel. It’s a trendy spot where you are as likely to see a celebrity as you are to almost anywhere else. The World Casino Directory informs us that the casino is supported by acclaimed restaurateurs Albert and Ferran Adrià, as well as the owner of Cirque du Soleil. It features a casino gaming room, a slot machine room, and the Casino Bar. In 2011, the hotel was ranked as the 6th best hotel in the world by Trivago. With 157 luxury rooms, a restaurant and lounge, two outdoor pools, and a small casino with slots, poker, blackjack, and roulette this five-star seaside resort might be the best bet for some gamblers.

Conclusion

The casinos of Spain offer a variety of entertainment options from the smaller gambling halls to the stately and magnificent traditional casinos with multiple amenities. Regulators seem to have met the challenge of first and foremost overseeing a sprawling industry that allows people to play as long as they “play smart” while protecting players, maintaining public order, and preventing addictive behavior, fraud, and money laundering.