Spain's Govt Unveils New Algorithm for Problem Gambling Detection

Spain has emerged as one of the most aggressive countries in the world when it comes to preventing and combatting gambling-related harms. The country’s latest effort, a national algorithm built to detect early signs of problem gambling, signals a shift toward public-health-oriented regulation, using scientific evidence to intervene sooner and more effectively.

Spain’s approach gives the U.S. insight into how data, clinical expertise and standardized tools can protect people before significant consequences take hold. Below, we explore what Spain’s new system does, why it matters and how it fits into the country’s broader consumer-protection agenda. 

Spain’s new algorithm for early detection of Problem Gambling

On November 14, Spain’s Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ) announced a new behavioral-analysis algorithm designed to improve the detection of risky gambling patterns. The tool was unveiled during the inaugural International Gaming Congress in Madrid and represents a major departure from the independent operator systems used across Spain’s online gambling market.

This independent tool incorporates microdata from individuals who have been medically diagnosed with gambling disorder. By comparing real-world behavioral profiles to patterns observed among customers, the algorithm is designed to flag emerging risk far earlier, and with more accuracy. 

Spain reports that operators currently detect around 3% of risky players, while the new model may improve detection by up to 10 percentage points.

Leaders within the Ministry for Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and Agenda 2030 have described the model as a shift toward evidence-based regulation. Andrés Barragán, Spain’s Secretary General for Consumer Affairs and Gambling, called the tool “revolutionary,” emphasizing its role in strengthening policies grounded in public health. Once the regulatory review is complete, implementation will be mandatory for all licensed operators under a Royal Decree.

Spain has also paired this algorithm with overt warning labels and identity-theft protections enacted earlier this year to prevent fraudulent account use, which has plagued individuals in online gambling environments, financially and emotionally.

Another piece in new multi-front push to combat Gambling Addiction in Spain

This algorithm is not a surprise given Spain’s previous initiatives to protect its citizens against gambling harm. In fact, this effort joins a broader public-health strategy.

One of the most notable changes occurred in October, when Spain began requiring tobacco-style addiction warnings on gambling websites, apps, marketing materials and digital banners. These policies replace taglines like “play responsibly” with evidence-based warnings such as:

• “Gambling addiction is a risk of gambling.”

• “The probability of being a losing gambler is 75%.”

• “Losses for all gamblers are four times greater than their winnings.”

Public-health leaders have been clear about the purpose of these warnings. Spain’s Minister for Social Rights, Pablo Bustinduy, noted that the public is exposed to increasingly sophisticated gambling environments, and the onus of protection rests with the authorities, not solely operators themselves.

Spain has also pursued youth-focused reforms, including a national campaign addressing the risks of video-game loot boxes and how they mirror gambling mechanisms. Spain sees gambling harm as a predictable public-health challenge that demands structural protection.

Are these early-detection algorithms for Problem Gambling used in the United States too?

Yes, early-detection algorithms for problem gambling are used in the United States, but with a key difference – these tools are not created or implemented by regulators. Instead, private technology companies partner with gambling operators to monitor player behavior. Some notable examples include:

• Sportradar’s BettorSense: An AI-based tool used by operators to analyze player behavior, assign risk scores and recommend intervention points. (Note: Birches Health has partnered with SportRadar to support the BettorSense product and its integration with operator Underdog.)
  
  

• Neccton (now part of OpenBet): Known for real-time interventions, it’s one of the most widely used behavior-monitoring tools in Europe but is also now available in the U.S.
  
  

• Mindway AI: A neuroscience-based risk-detection platform specializing in identifying at-risk players before issues escalate.

These tools are becoming more common in the U.S., but their use is not standardized. Most states rely on monetary thresholds, such as measures to review accounts only when a player deposits above a certain amount, rather than the behavioral indicators that Spain will now require. This means early signs of risk can be missed, especially in states with fewer protections or lighter oversight. New Jersey, known as a pioneer and leader in the gambling industry, is one state looking to standardize these tools, flags and interventions, making them mandatory and uniform from operator to operator. 

Multiple jurisdictions in Europe require affordability checks, mandatory deposit limits and continuous behavioral monitoring. Spain’s new algorithm pushes this approach even further by grounding detection in real-world medical evidence.

Treatment for Problem Gambling used in America

The U.S. does not have a centralized federal regulatory structure like in Spain, and there is a lot to learn from what is happening abroad in more mature markets. Still, effective treatment for gambling addiction is widely available in America, and early intervention remains the most important factor in recovery.

Birches Health’s mission is to increase access to effective, evidence-based treatment in the U.S. by breaking down the traditional barriers:

Supply: A lack of certified Gambling Addiction-specialized clinicians often resulted in long wait times and unavailability of appointments. Today, Birches Health has hundreds of specially trained therapists across all 50 states, forming the largest network in the country. 

Logistics: The need to travel to sessions made it incredibly difficult for many individuals juggling busy schedules, work and child care. This was particularly hard in rural areas of the country, where the closest counselor may be over an hour away. Therefore, Birches Health’s recovery program is fully virtual, featuring online counseling sessions every week on video calls. 

Cost: Gambling Addiction treatment costs were very rarely covered by insurance historically, meaning individuals in need faced prohibitive rates usually between $100-300 per session. Birches Health has partnered and become “in-network” with major insurance companies to help make treatment more affordable. And for those who may be uninsured or underinsured, Birches has partnerships with select state government programs that can cover the cost of care for eligible residents. 

Take the first step toward recovery with Birches Health today:

Book a clinical consultation

Call 833-483-3838

Email help@bircheshealth.com