Spain activates PACS protocol to tackle online gambling fraud: over 8,600 identity theft cases recorded in 2025
Spain is reinforcing its measures against online gambling fraud amid a rise in identity theft cases. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs reactivated the PACS protocol (Procedure for Action for Impersonated Taxpayers) for a third consecutive year in preparation for the 2025 tax season, emphasising the centrality of the issue in the national regulatory strategy.
The Directorate-General for Gambling Regulation (DGOJ) coordinates the initiative with law enforcement and the Spanish Tax Agency. The protocol supports taxpayers whose personal data has been used in online gambling activities by fraudsters, often without those taxpayers’ knowledge.
A dedicated platform for victims
The protocol’s main operational element is a dedicated online platform. The portal guides users through the process of filing complaints and regularising their tax status step-by-step.
The platform is an essential tool. Many people only discover the fraud after receiving communications from the tax authorities regarding winnings or transactions they never made or authorised.
Rising fraud figures: the 2025 data
Recent data show authorities recorded 8,675 complaints of identity theft linked to online gambling in 2025, a 12 per cent rise from the previous year.
These 8,675 complaints correspond to 15,871 gaming accounts, highlighting the scale of the issue. DGOJ data show these cases make up about 4 per cent of taxpayers who received tax communications related to online gambling.
Victim profile: a departure from typical player demographics
Analysis of victim profiles shows a shift from typical player demographics. Although most users are male and within the age range of 18 to 25, identity theft primarily affects women and individuals over 26.
This trend shows that online gambling fraud reaches a wider segment of the population beyond active players. Many victims discover misuse of their personal data only after they receive tax notifications for activities they did not undertake.
Betting most affected, but the online casino segment grows
Betting remains the most affected product category, making up 85 per cent of reported cases in 2025.
At the same time, there has been a marked growth in the casino sector, from 7 per cent in 2024 to 18 per cent in 2025. The DGOJ links this growth to the return of welcome bonuses after the Supreme Court of Spain lifted restrictions on gambling advertising.
Key fraud methods identified
Within its monitoring efforts, the PACS protocol has identified four main fraud mechanisms.
One mechanism involves individuals listed in self-exclusion registers using third-party identities to bypass restrictions. Another pattern concerns minors accessing gambling platforms using personal data belonging to others, often family members.
Fraudsters may also make use of more advanced methods, such as deploying bots to create and manage multiple accounts, and exploiting promotional bonuses with fictitious identities for financial gain.
Phishing Alert: prevention through early warning
The DGOJ launched the Phishing Alert service to strengthen user protection. The system notifies individuals by email whenever someone attempts to register on a gambling platform using their personal data.
The tool serves as a preventive measure, enabling users to respond quickly and stop fraudulent activity before it results in financial or legal consequences.
An institutional response to a structural challenge
The renewed PACS protocol signals that Spanish authorities now prioritise fighting online gambling fraud. Data from 2025 highlights the growth of this problem as more sophisticated methods emerge and the impact widens beyond regular gambling participants.
Strengthening assistance and prevention is key to protecting citizens and supporting transparency in online gambling.
This article was originally published in Italian on 10 April 2026.
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