Can you use UK Betting Apps in Spain and the Canary Islands?
British visitors to Spain and the Canary Islands often discover that the betting apps they use at home don’t always behave the same way once they land abroad. With each country enforcing its own gambling laws, even global bookmakers like William Hill have to adapt to local rules. That’s why questions often arise around access, legality, and whether offers still apply once you’re under Spanish jurisdiction.
Quick Answer:
• You cannot legally use UK-only licensed betting apps in Spain.
• The app will block you due to location restrictions.
• You can bet legally using Spanish-licensed versions using bookmakers like William Hill and bet365.es.
How Spain Regulates Online Betting
In Spain, online gambling is highly regulated and scrutinised under Law 13/2011, and the gambling authority, the DGOJ, was created to oversee and ensure that online gambling operators comply with the standards of the Spanish gambling law. DGOJ establishes standards for player protection, responsible gambling, and advertising.
In 2024, the DGOJ reported that the Spanish gambling market surpassed €1.45 billion in gross gaming revenue, which was an increase of almost 18% from the previous year. Out of that revenue, approximately 42% was from sports betting. This statistic highlights the importance of betting on sports, particularly football, in Spain.
There were nearly two million active online betting accounts last year, an increase of more than 21% from the previous year. The European Gaming and Betting Association states that most online gambling activity in Spain, over 85%, is conducted through locally licensed sites. These statistics reflect Spain's confidence in its legal framework and strong performance in regulation.
Consequently, large operators like William Hill, bet365, and Betfair have Spanish-registered, fully licensed and monitored entities. This is the same system that governs what occurs when British players attempt to access their regular apps while in Spain or the Canary Islands.
What happens when you use a UK betting app abroad
A UK Gambling Commission licence only covers customers within the UK. The moment a player travels abroad, they fall under the rules of the location they are in.
Looking at William Hill, we can see that the UK version of the site (williamhill.co.uk) is regulated under UK law, while the Spanish version (williamhill.es) operates under a DGOJ licence. If you try to access the UK app while in Spain or the Canary Islands, it detects the location and blocks access. This is because UK gambling law does not apply beyond its borders.
For people who are physically in Spain (including the Spanish islands), the Spanish-licensed site williamhill.es is completely legitimate. It is regulated under the same national law and local advertising restrictions applicable to local bookmakers. All bonuses, promotions, and even the William Hill sign up offer in Spain are governed by Royal Decree 958/2020, which lays down the rules on advertising gambling promotions. The conditions may be a bit different from what players in the UK are used to, but they are still compliant with Spanish law.
How to Bet Legally in Spain if You Already Have a UK Account
1. Log out of your UK app
2. Download the Spanish version of the app (you may need a Spanish App Store region)
3. Create a Spanish-licensed account (KYC required)
4. Use the € currency
A UK sign-up bonus usually does not transfer. A Spanish-specific offer may apply instead.
What to include:
• GBP accounts may charge FX fees
• Spanish accounts must deposit/withdraw in EUR
• UK card verification may fail due to geoblocking (use Spanish banking methods instead)
• Local payment methods (e.g. Bizum) available only in Spain
Betting in the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands have a regional government, but online betting is governed by the national law of Spain. The land-based betting shops and casinos on the islands are regulated by the local authorities, but the digital gambling oversight is the same as it is on the mainland.
In 2023, local legislation was updated to further restrict advertising near schools and youth centres to emphasise the islands’ focus on responsible gaming. However, these changes do not affect online operators, which are still under national control.
For British residents or visitors in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, or Lanzarote, betting legally is simple, as you can use licensed Spanish operators like williamhill.es or betfair.es. Accessing the UK version will nearly always result in a blocked login, as UK bookmakers are required to enforce stringent location restrictions.
What Players Need to Know
Before logging in, always confirm you are on the Spanish-licensed version of the bookmaker. The Spanish version of williamhill.es displays its DGOJ licence number and is the only version of the site that is not UK-controlled. Since advertising in Spain includes confirmation and control on spending limits, it is advisable to read the fine print on promotions.
Players wanting to bet legally in Spain should not use a VPN as a geographical blocker. This can get your account blocked since it is breaching the bookmaker’s terms of service and can result in account suspension. Understanding these small details helps ensure that you are betting legally and are under the safeguards of Spanish consumer protection laws.
Why Spain’s Systems Work Well For Players
Spain is one of the most advanced countries in Europe. For all licensed operators, Spain requires the use of identity checks, age and identity-credential checks, self-exclusion tools, game play, and self-exclusion tools. Spain also requires the use of tools to limit game spending, local support in terms of civilised dispute resolution, and local conflict resolution.
All these measures instil a sense of safety and, of course, the security of a local licensed bookmaker. If the bookmaker is licensed in Spain, the user is also protected under the Spanish law, and the user is protected under the watchful eye of DGOJ. Even though the other similar laws, like the UK, don’t really border Spain, the licensed bookmaker and Spanish law’s protection are the most reliable ways to protect yourself, legally, while in Spain or the Canary Islands.
Players must wait 30 days after account verification before receiving welcome bonuses (Royal Decree 958/2020). Spain also requires loss limits and mandatory breaks, which can feel stricter than UK apps — but offer stronger protection.
Wider European Picture
Not every country in Europe follows Spain’s balanced model, though. Of the other European countries, Italy, Denmark, and Sweden have similar open licensing systems, while Portugal and Cyprus remain more restrictive in licensing. Spain’s approach, which is more flexible than it is transparent, is what built the most trusted online betting markets in the European Union.
According to Statista, Spain has around 1.5 million active online gamblers, and this is because of strong regulation and customer confidence. Spain has a well-developed market and clear regulations, which is why it is referred to as a model country for online gambling.
Spain's legislation around gambling has proven that it can be done safely and within regulation. Whether it's the Premier League, the player has the option of wagering through a Spain-licensed bookmaker like williamhill.es to guarantee the user a fair and legal platform.
Players from the UK enjoy the sport legally without disrupting the integrity of the sport. Spain's gambling regulation is a model for other countries.
Final takeaway
• You must use a Spanish-licensed operator (e.g. williamhill.es) to bet legally in Spain and the Canary Islands.
• UK apps are not permitted and are blocked by law.
• Spain’s licensing guarantees safer betting conditions for visitors.
So, whether cheering on La Liga or the Premier League from Tenerife, make sure the app you’re using is licensed in Spain to stay fully legal and protected.
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