Die Glücksspielbehorde, a new German gambling watchdog, said it will start blocking unlicensed websites' IP addresses and payments on Friday. It may also block payments to affiliates who promote these sites. More information will be given a week after the policy goes into effect.
On January 1, 2023, the organisation will assume complete responsibility for regulating gaming in Germany. On Friday, however, it will begin to take action against unauthorised operators and anyone who promote their sites (1 July).
The regulator has now provided the initial indications of how this regulation would be enforced. It stated that it will employ both payment and IP address blocking to halt unlicensed operations.
“In addition to regular controls, the main focus when it comes to curbing illegal gambling is the implementation of the enforcement instruments IP blocking and payment blocking,” it said.
The Glücksspielbehörde added that it will “provide information on the concrete procedure for combating illegal gambling and the use of enforcement instruments such as IP blocking and payment blocking” on 8 July.
The organisation also cited its efforts against sites promoting unlicensed gambling, implying that it will also pursue affiliates.
The news coincides with the Glücksspielbehorde's announcement of Nadja Wierzejewski's appointment as department director responsible for countering illicit gaming and its advertising.
Since 2008, Wierzejewski has served as the head of gaming oversight for the state of Rheinland-Pfalz.
In her new position, Nadja Wierzejewski will also oversee the national gaming oversight system (LUGAS). This technology would track players' engagement across all licenced German operators in order to enforce restrictions such as the country's cross-operator deposit limit.
While a number of providers have sports betting licences for the German market, just three have online slots licences. Mernov obtained the first licence last month, followed by Tipwin and Mybet last week. Entry has been hampered by the Fourth State Treaty on Gambling in Germany's stringent regulations. The pact stipulated certain limitations, including a €1 maximum bet on slot machines. In addition, businesses must pay a tax equal to 5.3% of their revenue.
By fLEXI tEAM
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