GGL wants tougher IP blocking against gambling advertisers

• The GGL has called for a "broad range" of measures to tackle the illegal gambling market
• IP blocking of gambling advertisers that publish unlicensed content could be next
• Germany has an unfaltering commitment to making gambling safer for all

The Gemeinsamen Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), or the Joint Gambling Authority of the States, as the organization is known to non-Germans for the most part, has urged caution against complacency and argued that more needed to be done to limit the powers of the non-regulated gambling market.

GGL mulls IP blocking for gambling advertisers of unlicensed content

The regulator published a statement on its website in which it detailed the discussions held at a recent gathering organized by Die Deutsche Automatenwirtschaft (DAW) in Berlin, Germany, last week. The gathering was attended by regulators, industry stakeholders, and academics, and in its essence, it sought to better understand the unique challenges that the German gambling industry faces today.

The industry event was similarly attended by GGL CEO Ronald Benter, who spoke about the need to utilize a broad range of measures in order to combat the illegal gambling market. One of the points brought by Benter is addressing gambling advertisements and specifically issuing a new standard for IP blocking against illegal gambling providers.

"It would be helpful if a new standard for IP blocking against advertisers were introduced as quickly as possible," Benter said in a translated statement published on the GGL’s website.

Benter argued that the regulated gambling market should strive to achieve two things: on the one hand, to build a robust regulatory framework that allows businesses to thrive, and on the other, to take an uncompromising approach towards consumer safety and player protection.

To ensure that players are better protected, Benter said that illegal gambling and advertising that promotes such activities ought to be targeted. The GGL has already had some luck in this regard, collaborating with Google to ensure that only regulated brands can promote their content.

Long-term approach to tackling illegal gambling needed

Yet, there have been cracks, which necessitate a sterner response, argues Benter, who believes that a firmer approach to gambling advertisers who push content for unauthorized brands is needed, and in particular – an IP block. This measure has been traditionally used for operators that have dodged local laws and used mirror domains to circumnavigate local restrictions.

The GGL explained: "As an enforcement authority, we address every form of unauthorized advertising."

"We are thus ensuring that all permitted providers can and must operate under the same framework,"Benter added.

Overall, the GGL is aware that combating illegal gambling would not be an easy task and would require a long-term approach. Examples of similar approaches are available in Sweden, the Netherlands, and Australia, where regulators have used a host of measures to continue battering the black market.

Image credit: Unsplash.com