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SPAIN has long been a favourite among holidaymakers, but it’s no longer just about beaches, tapas, and sightseeing.
In recent years, the country has gained traction as a destination for a different kind of traveller: the gamer. From high-level iGaming expos to full-scale esports tournaments and immersive entertainment venues, Spain is quietly building itself into one of Europe’s most unexpected gaming tourism hubs. Whether you’re in it for roulette wheels, VR goggles, or live tournaments, there’s plenty to plug into across the country.
From Industry Giants to Global Players
Barcelona, Madrid, and Marbella now feature prominently on the global gaming calendar. Events like ICE Barcelona 2025, held at Fira Gran Via, attract more than 55,000 professionals in sectors ranging from online casinos to esports and gaming tech. Madrid’s Gaming in Spain Conference brings together operators, regulators, and experts focused on Spain’s regulated gambling sector. Play Marbella Game Fest leans into the cultural side of gaming, hosting tournaments, influencer meet-ups, and workshops tied to gaming, art, and digital entertainment.
This isn’t just business tourism, it’s a magnet for tech-savvy visitors, industry stakeholders, and gaming enthusiasts. Many also explore casinos while in Spain, especially along the coast.
A Casino Culture That Attracts
Spain’s casino offering is as strong as its hospitality. Tourists regularly visit spots like Casino Barcelona, Casino Gran Madrid, and Casino Marbella, often as part of a wider city break or coastal holiday. These venues blend table games, poker, and slots with restaurants, live shows, and rooftop bars. Many of them also host gaming-related events, drawing in a mix of casual players, serious punters, and curious tourists.
The appeal isn’t just in the betting. It’s the setting, the glamour, the architecture, the atmosphere. Whether it’s a late-night blackjack table overlooking the sea or a quiet poker room tucked inside a heritage building, these casinos are often included in the must-do lists for visitors who want more than just sun and sangria.
One growing trend is the popularity of non gamstop casinos, which are international, licensed platforms that appeal to players looking for more flexibility than what local restrictions may offer. These sites are well-known for their wide game selections, fast payouts using crypto, and fewer limitations when it comes to access or verification. Travellers familiar with them often compare their features to Spain’s physical casinos, and many enjoy the freedom to play online during their trip. While land-based casinos bring the glitz, these casinos offer the convenience and variety that players often seek while traveling, making them a relevant part of the gaming tourism.
Esports in the Spotlight
Spain is also gaining recognition as a serious stop on the esports map. Cities like Zaragoza, Madrid, and Barcelona regularly host competitive gaming tournaments, including titles like League of Legends, Counter-Strike 2, and FIFA. LVP Superliga Finals and national championships draw significant local and international crowds, turning arenas into packed viewing parties with a buzzing atmosphere.
These events bring in fans, media, sponsors, and streamers, and they have a knock-on effect on tourism, filling hotels, boosting nightlife, and creating demand for connected experiences like gaming cafés, pop-up merch stores, and late-night food venues. While esports may have started as a niche pursuit, in Spain, it’s quickly becoming a key part of its event tourism strategy.
Game-Centric Hotels and VR Venues
Few places in Europe boast a gaming-themed hotel, but Spain has one that draws in gamers year-round: the Magic Games Hotel in Oropesa del Mar and EXIT Madrid, an escape room-themed hotel. It’s a fully themed space, complete with console-loaded rooms, VR and AR zones, a video game museum, and access to Magic Splash Adventure water park. Though designed to accommodate families, its appeal goes well beyond that, with competitive tournaments, themed décor, and high-end gaming setups available to all guests.
Elsewhere, major cities like Madrid and Barcelona are packed with VR arcades, escape rooms, and simulator venues that cater to tourists seeking immersive experiences. Whether it’s racing a Formula 1 track, cracking puzzles under time pressure, or battling zombies in a multiplayer environment, these venues are pulling in new footfall, especially from visitors looking to do something different on their city break.
More Than a Niche
Gaming tourism in Spain isn’t confined to one scene or setting. It cuts across industries, from big-budget business expos to independent VR arcades, and from glamorous roulette tables to grassroots esports events. Marbella, for example, is positioning itself as a hub for digital entertainment and influencer-driven youth tourism.
Madrid continues to serve both the professional crowd and casual tourists with its ever-expanding mix of regulated gambling, leisure venues, and tech-savvy attractions. Elsewhere in Madrid, the OXO Museo del Videojuego offers over 1,600 square metres dedicated to video game culture. Visitors can try their hand at everything from classic arcade machines to rare retro consoles and giant mobile-inspired games. With rotating exhibitions, themed workshops, and VR zones, it’s one of Spain’s most engaging attractions for anyone with a passion for gaming history and design.
Gaming cafes and esports bars, such as El Templo and Six Board Game Cafe, add to the mix. These spaces give locals and visitors alike a chance to hang out, compete, and be part of Spain’s wider gaming culture.
Where It’s All Headed
Spain’s role in gaming tourism is still evolving, but the direction is clear: it’s becoming a destination where casinos, esports, and leisure gaming all have a place. Whether you’re attending a conference, dropping in for a tournament, or simply hopping between arcades and VR bars, Spain offers something many other destinations don’t, choice.
The infrastructure is there, the events are growing, and the appetite, from players and industry alike, is undeniable. Gaming might not be the first thing you associate with Spain, but it’s quickly becoming one of its most interesting exports.
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