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German court curtails gambling regulator’s IP blocking powers
A recent ruling by Germany’s Federal Administrative Court has limited the gambling regulator’s (GGL) powers to block IP addresses of illegal gambling sites. This judgement indicated that using the 2021 gaming law for IP blocking was unlawful, further complicating the GGL’s enforcement efforts. This follows challenges faced by the GGL since its inception, as previous attempts to block sites like Lottoland have been deemed legally baseless.
The GGL seeks to amend the existing laws to address these challenges, proposing a review of the regulations surrounding IP blocking and advertising for illegal gambling. Despite the court’s decision, the GGL claims it has effectively blocked a significant number of domains through alternative strategies, ensuring continued accessibility checks on gambling platforms in Germany.
Key Points
- The Federal Administrative Court ruled that the GGL’s use of IP blocking for offshore gambling sites was unlawful.
- This judgement reinforces a previous lower court decision related to Lottoland, hindering GGL’s enforcement strategies.
- The GGL plans to amend existing IP blocking laws to enhance its regulatory powers over illegal gambling.
- Despite legal setbacks, the GGL has successfully blocked around 930 domains through alternative enforcement methods.
- The regulator faces criticism for the relatively low channelisation rate of legal gambling offerings in Germany.
Why should I read this?
This article highlights significant developments in the regulation of gambling in Germany, which may impact industry practices and compliance. Understanding these changes is crucial for stakeholders in the gambling sector, as they reflect ongoing challenges in regulating offshore activities and the evolution of legal frameworks in response to technological advancements.
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