EXPOJOC 2026 brought together industry leaders to discuss regulatory challenges, fiscal and labor sustainability, and the impact of digitalization and AI, highlighting the key to public-private collaboration.

The event established itself as the main meeting point for the gaming industry in Spain, bringing together operators, regulators and experts to analyse the structural challenges and growth opportunities of the sector.

The round tables

The panel on regulation, moderated by Yolanda Barqueros (Merkur Dosniha), focused on the need to strengthen dialogue between the private sector and public administrations in order to move towards clearer, more agile and balanced regulations. The participants agreed that an excessively restrictive framework can promote illegal gambling, while harmonization between state and regional legislation is key to promoting innovation and guaranteeing the protection of users.

For its part, the table dedicated to fiscal and labor sustainability, led by Juan José Talaván (E.JU. VA.), analysed the impact of tax differences between Autonomous Communities on the competitiveness of operators. In addition, the challenge of absenteeism from work – which reaches 12% in the sector – linked to factors such as stress and lack of qualified personnel was highlighted. Proposed solutions include psychosocial support programmes, greater labour flexibility and closer coordination between companies, trade unions and public bodies.

Regarding digitalization, technological innovation and illegal gambling, the panel moderated by Kissy Chandiramani explored the advancement of artificial intelligence and its application in the industry. The evolution towards multi-agent AI systems, capable of optimizing business decisions, as well as the use of technology to personalize the user experience and prevent fraud, was highlighted. However, there were also warnings about the growth of illegal gambling, which already accounts for a significant percentage of supply versus the regulated market, and the future of crypto casinos under strict regulatory frameworks was discussed.

The conclusions of EXPOJOC 2026 reflect a clear consensus: the sustainable development of the gambling sector in Spain will depend on balanced regulation, homogeneous taxation, modern labour policies and a responsible adoption of technology. Public-private collaboration, together with consumer protection and continuous innovation, are positioned as the fundamental pillars to consolidate a competitive, safe and future-proof industry.