Spain’s DGOJ opens €950,620 in research grants for gambling harm studies

Spain’s gambling regulator has launched a new public funding initiative aimed at supporting research into gambling-related harm and prevention measures. The programme, announced by the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling, widely known as the DGOJ, will distribute €950,620 to eligible research projects focused on gambling disorders, consumer protection and the wider social impact of gambling activities.

The funding round forms part of Spain’s continuing efforts to strengthen evidence-based gambling policy and improve understanding of the risks linked to gambling participation. Applications for the programme are open until 22 June 2026 and selected projects will be required to complete their research by 30 June 2027.

The initiative is expected to attract universities, public health organisations, private research institutions and non-profit entities working in the field of addiction studies, behavioural analysis and responsible gambling policy.

DGOJ expands focus on gambling-related harm

The latest grant call highlights the Spanish regulator’s ongoing emphasis on prevention and public health. The DGOJ stated that the programme is intended to support scientific research capable of improving understanding of gambling-related risks while contributing to practical tools that may reduce harm among consumers.

Under the framework of the programme, funded studies must focus on the prevention of gambling disorders, the consequences associated with gambling addiction or broader risks connected with gambling participation.

The regulator’s approach reflects wider European discussions surrounding responsible gambling frameworks, particularly as digital gambling products continue to expand across online platforms and mobile channels. Regulatory authorities in multiple jurisdictions have increased attention on consumer safeguards, early intervention systems and product design features that may contribute to problematic gambling behaviour.

Spain has gradually strengthened its gambling oversight in recent years through advertising restrictions, player protection measures and tighter regulatory supervision. The new funding programme appears designed to complement those measures through academic and scientific research.

Research projects must meet strict timeline requirements

According to the terms of the grant programme, research projects cannot begin before 1 January 2026. All approved studies must be completed no later than 30 June 2027.

The grants will be awarded through a competitive selection process. Applicants are expected to demonstrate the scientific relevance of their proposed studies, the feasibility of their methodologies and the broader public interest value of their research.

The DGOJ is expected to review submissions based on technical quality, innovation and potential contribution to gambling harm prevention policies.

Researchers seeking funding must also ensure that their proposals align with one of the six officially approved research categories established by the regulator.

Six research areas identified by the regulator

The DGOJ’s 2026 programme identifies six key areas considered eligible for financial support.

One major research line focuses on the early detection of risky gambling behaviour. This includes studies examining behavioural indicators, predictive tools and monitoring systems that may help identify consumers who are at greater risk of developing gambling-related problems.

Another approved area concerns the analysis of gambling-related harm at an individual, family and societal level. The regulator specifically noted several categories of harm that may be examined under the programme.

These include physical and mental health consequences, emotional and psychological difficulties, financial problems, workplace or academic disruption, relationship breakdowns and legal complications linked to gambling disorders.

The programme also supports studies aimed at developing tools, interventions or processes that may reduce the harmful consequences associated with gambling activity. This could include preventative technologies, educational mechanisms or responsible gambling systems designed to improve consumer safety.

Interest grows in links between gambling and video games

One notable aspect of the funding call is the inclusion of research into the relationship between video games and gambling behaviour.

Regulators across Europe and other international markets have increasingly examined potential overlaps between gaming mechanics and gambling-style systems. Features such as loot boxes, in-game purchases and reward structures have become areas of regulatory and academic interest in recent years.

The DGOJ’s inclusion of this topic suggests continued attention toward understanding whether certain gaming experiences may influence gambling participation patterns, particularly among younger consumers.

In addition to video game research, the programme will also support studies into the structural characteristics of gambling products themselves. This includes lotteries, games of chance, poker products and sports betting markets.

Researchers may examine how product features, reward systems, accessibility or game design elements interact with consumer behaviour and risk exposure.

The regulator has also identified gender-related analysis as an eligible field of study. This research area may explore how gambling-related risks and behaviours affect different demographic groups and whether prevention measures require more tailored approaches.

Universities and research centres invited to apply

The funding programme is open to a broad range of institutions operating in Spain’s research and public health sectors.

Eligible public entities include universities, public research institutes and healthcare organisations connected to Spain’s National Health System. Public university departments specialising in psychology, behavioural science, public health, sociology or addiction research are expected to be among the potential applicants.

Private institutions are also permitted to participate provided they can demonstrate recognised research and development activity. This includes private universities, legally recognised R&D centres and private health organisations affiliated with the National Health System.

The inclusion of both public and private research bodies reflects the regulator’s intention to encourage broad scientific participation and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Non-profit organisations face independence conditions

Non-profit organisations are also eligible to apply under certain conditions established by the DGOJ.

To qualify, non-profit applicants must include research activity or dissemination of scientific findings among their institutional objectives. In addition, they are required to collaborate formally with a recognised public or private research institution.

The regulator has also introduced safeguards intended to reinforce the independence of funded research.

Under the programme rules, non-profit organisations applying for grants cannot include gambling operators within their governing bodies. This condition appears intended to reduce potential conflicts of interest and maintain public confidence in the neutrality of funded studies.

The independence requirement reflects growing international scrutiny regarding transparency and governance standards in gambling-related research.

Applications open until June 2026

Applications for the programme must be submitted electronically through the DGOJ’s official online platform no later than 22 June 2026.

Interested organisations are expected to provide detailed project documentation, including research objectives, methodology, budget information and evidence of institutional eligibility.

The regulator’s electronic submission process forms part of Spain’s broader administrative modernisation efforts, which increasingly rely on digital systems for regulatory procedures and public grant management.

Once submissions are reviewed, selected projects will receive financial support under the €950,620 allocation approved for the programme.

Evidence-based regulation remains a priority

The latest funding initiative demonstrates Spain’s continuing commitment to evidence-based gambling regulation and consumer protection policy.

Rather than focusing exclusively on enforcement measures, the DGOJ appears to be expanding its support for academic research capable of informing future regulatory decisions. The programme’s broad research scope suggests an interest in understanding gambling harm from multiple perspectives, including behavioural science, public health, product design and social impact analysis.

The inclusion of studies linked to video games, gender differences and structural product risks also indicates that regulators are increasingly examining gambling behaviour within a wider digital entertainment environment.

As gambling markets continue evolving across Europe, research initiatives such as this may play an important role in shaping future responsible gambling standards and prevention strategies.

Conclusion

Spain’s latest gambling research funding programme represents a significant investment in the study of gambling-related harm and prevention. By allocating more than €950,000 to academic and scientific projects, the DGOJ is reinforcing its commitment to evidence-driven policymaking and consumer protection.

The programme’s broad eligibility criteria and diverse research priorities suggest that Spanish authorities are seeking a deeper understanding of how gambling behaviour affects individuals, families and society. The inclusion of studies into video games, product structures and behavioural risk detection reflects the changing nature of gambling regulation in digital markets.

For researchers and institutions operating in public health, behavioural science and responsible gambling policy, the initiative provides an opportunity to contribute valuable insights that may influence future regulation and prevention frameworks both within Spain and across the wider European gambling sector.

FAQs

What is the purpose of Spain’s new gambling research grants?
The grants are intended to support research into gambling-related harm, prevention measures and consumer protection strategies linked to gambling activity.

How much funding is available through the programme?
The DGOJ has allocated €950,620 for the 2026 funding round.

Who can apply for the research grants?
Public universities, private research institutions, healthcare organisations and eligible non-profit entities may apply if they meet the programme requirements.

What is the application deadline?
Applications must be submitted electronically by 22 June 2026.

When can funded projects begin?
Approved projects cannot begin before 1 January 2026.

What is the completion deadline for selected projects?
All funded research must be completed by 30 June 2027.

What research areas are covered by the programme?
The programme supports research into gambling harm, early detection of risky behaviour, prevention tools, video game links, gambling product structures and gender-related impacts.

Can non-profit organisations apply independently?
Non-profit organisations must collaborate formally with a recognised public or private research institution to qualify.

Are gambling operators allowed to participate in non-profit governance structures?
No. Non-profit applicants cannot include gambling operators in their governing bodies under the programme rules.

Why is the DGOJ supporting gambling harm research?
The regulator aims to strengthen evidence-based policymaking and improve understanding of gambling-related risks and prevention methods.