Germany’s new gambling regulator, Glücksspielbehörde (GGL), has asked that local internet service providers (ISPs) block access to unlicensed international gambling websites that are currently targeting the German market.
There are 507 unlicensed gambling websites currently operating in Germany
The GGL has made its stance clear on the subject of illegal gambling websites. Just last week, the regulator black listed unlicensed provider Lottoland and asked local ISPs to block access to the site within Germany.
As the GGL does not assume full control of the German market until 2023, the regulator can only request that ISPs block illegal sites. However, it did note that in 2023, any ISP that is not complying with the GGL’s requests could themselves face penalties in the form of fines.
In its statement, the GGL has said that it hopes that in the future, ISPs can make these decisions by themselves once an illegal gambling site has been identified without waiting for the regulator’s approval.
While ISPs can reject the GGL’s requests to block a site, they could face fines of as much as €500,000.
Thomas Nielsen, COO of award winning casino review site USA-Casino.com pointed out that these measures result in a game of technical cat and mouse.
Casino brands and online gambling affiliates illegally targeting regulated European and International gambling markets quickly circumvent ISP blocks by redirecting their “blocked” site to a new domain or subdomain. “Site B” soon replaces the original site in the search engine results pages (SERPs)
Earlier this month, Deutscher Sportwettenverband, an association that represents German sports betting providers, told the GGL that there are currently 507 international and unlicensed gambling websites that accept wagers from German gamblers.
Based in London, Natasha is a former sports journalist with experience working for some of the biggest athletes & brands in the world of sports and iGaming.