Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of 28 September 2026, from the Under-Secretariat, publishing the Agreement between Red.es and the DGOJ on .es domains for gaming and betting |
|---|---|
| BOE Publication | 5 October 2026 |
| Entry into force | 3 September 2026 |
| Affected parties | Online gaming operators and holders of .es domains related to betting |
| Category | Regulatory Changes |
| Signatory bodies | Red.es (manager of the .es domain registry) and General Directorate for Gaming Regulation (DGOJ) |
Online gaming operators with a presence under the .es extension face a significant change in scenario. The agreement signed between Red.es —the public entity that manages the .es domain registry— and the General Directorate for Gaming Regulation (DGOJ) creates a permanent collaboration channel to detect and act on domains that may violate gaming regulations. The resolution that publishes it in the BOE is from 28 September 2026, but the agreement has been in force since 3 September 2026.
The stated objective is to combat fraudulent use of domain names in the sector: phishing, identity theft of legitimate operators and unauthorized gaming platforms operating under the .es extension. However, the consequences also reach legitimate operators who do not properly manage their domain registrations.
What does this regulation establish?
The agreement articulates two collaboration flows between the signatory bodies:
| Body | Obligation / Contribution |
|---|---|
| Red.es | Will share with the DGOJ information about suspicious .es domains containing terms associated with betting, legitimate operator brands or misleading expressions |
| DGOJ | Will provide regulatory criteria to guide actions on domains that may violate gaming regulations |
The practical result is an early detection system that allows identifying problematic domains before they cause harm to users or competitors. Once a suspicious domain is detected, a dispute procedure can be activated or directly the suspension of the domain if non-compliance with registration conditions is proven.
The three types of fraudulent use that the agreement explicitly seeks to combat are:
- Phishing: domains that imitate legitimate operators to capture user credentials or payment data.
- Identity theft: unauthorized use of licensed operator brands in .es domain names.
- Unauthorized platforms: gaming or betting sites that operate without DGOJ license under .es extension.
Economic and operational impact
The impact is not only for fraudulent actors. Legitimate operators must anticipate three direct operational consequences:
- Greater scrutiny of their .es domain portfolio: any registered domain that includes terms related to betting or gaming may be subject to review, even if the operator has a DGOJ license.
- Risk of suspension without prior notice: if a domain is identified as suspicious, the agreement enables action mechanisms that may result in suspension or dispute procedure.
- Need to audit defensive domains: many operators register domains similar to their brand to prevent third parties from capturing them. These "defensive" domains will also be under surveillance if they contain gaming terms.
For unauthorized or fraudulent operators, the impact is direct: the coordination between Red.es and the DGOJ eliminates the gap that existed between regulatory detection and the ability to act on the domain registry. Until now, the DGOJ could identify an illegal domain but depended on separate processes to act on the .es registry. With this agreement, that process is integrated.
Who does it affect?
- Online gaming operators with DGOJ license that have active .es domains or defensive registrations with betting terms.
- Holders of .es domains that include in their name terms associated with betting, casino, poker, slot machines, sports betting or other sector expressions.
- Operators using third-party brands in their .es domains, even partially or in combination.
- Unauthorized gaming platforms operating under .es extension: they are the main target of the agreement.
- Marketing agencies and domain registrars that manage domain portfolios for gaming sector clients.
Practical example
A sports betting operator with DGOJ license has registered, in addition to its main domain, three defensive domains under .es: one with its brand name plus the word "betting", another with "casino" and a third with the name of a well-known sports competition. Until now, those domains existed without greater coordinated supervision.
With the agreement in force, Red.es can identify those three domains as "suspicious" for containing terms associated with gaming and transfer the information to the DGOJ. If the operator cannot prove that those domains are linked to its license and comply with registration conditions, it may face a dispute procedure or domain suspension, thus losing the defensive protection it had built.
The same risk applies to a third party that has registered a domain imitating the brand of a legitimate operator: the DGOJ can now act in a coordinated manner with Red.es to suspend it more quickly than before.
What should companies do now?
- Audit the .es domain portfolio: review all domains registered under .es that contain gaming, betting, casino terms, own or third-party brands. Identify which are active, which are defensive and which could raise regulatory concerns.
- Verify alignment with DGOJ license: ensure that each .es domain linked to the gaming business is aligned with the scope of the current license. A domain without license backing is vulnerable.
- Document legitimate use of defensive domains: prepare documentation that proves brand ownership and the legitimate purpose of each defensive domain, in case a dispute procedure is opened.
- Monitor domains that impersonate your brand: the agreement is also an opportunity. If a third party has registered an .es domain that imitates your gaming brand, you now have a faster channel to report it to the DGOJ so it can coordinate with Red.es.
- Review contracts with agencies and registrars: if domain management is outsourced, ensure that the provider is aware of this new surveillance framework and acts accordingly.
Frequently asked questions
What type of .es domains can be suspended under this agreement?
.es domains containing terms associated with betting, legitimate gaming operator brands or misleading expressions can be identified as suspicious by Red.es and communicated to the DGOJ. If it is proven that they violate gaming regulations or registration conditions, they may be suspended or subject to a dispute procedure.
Does this agreement affect gaming operators with DGOJ license?
Yes. Although the main objective is to combat illegal platforms, phishing and identity theft, licensed operators are also subject to greater scrutiny. Any .es domain in their portfolio containing gaming terms can be reviewed, including defensive domains. It is essential that each domain is documented and aligned with the current license.
Since when is this agreement between Red.es and the DGOJ in force?
The agreement has been in force since 3 September 2026. The resolution that publishes it in the BOE is from 28 September 2026, but the entry into force date is prior to its official publication.
What happens if a third party has registered an .es domain imitating my gaming brand?
The agreement strengthens action mechanisms in these cases. The DGOJ can now coordinate with Red.es more quickly to act on domains that impersonate legitimate operators. If you detect a fraudulent .es domain using your brand, you can report it to the DGOJ to activate the corresponding procedure with Red.es.
What information does Red.es share with the DGOJ exactly?
According to the agreement, Red.es will share information about suspicious .es domains containing terms associated with betting, legitimate operator brands or misleading expressions. The DGOJ, for its part, will provide regulatory criteria to guide actions on those domains.
Official source
Consult complete regulation in official source
Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-20703
