German market archive. This article covers gambling rules and news in Germany. It does not describe the law in Ireland, where gambling is overseen by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI).
With the Glücksspielstaatsvertrag taking effect, the GGL has a lot on its plate. Among its responsibilities is cracking down on illicit gambling. Ever since the new agreement came into force, only online casinos with German licenses are deemed lawful and permissible. The authority has been diligent in its pursuit of unlicensed operators and ensuring the compliance of the online gaming industry.
There are, however, numerous online casinos that hold a gambling license from Malta or Curacao. The unlawful operators have had a field day in recent years, as no action has been taken against them by the authorities. Hence, there is a plethora of illicit gambling sites.
Since the start of 2025, the GGL has emerged with a mission to ignite numerous proceedings against relevant providers each year. Among other measures, there is also talk of implementing IP-blocking. However, is it even permissible to establish internet blockades?
On this page
- IP blocking in gambling: Net bans to protect players.
- Should internet service providers implement IP blockades upon request?
- What is the court's opinion on the GGL's plan for IP-blocking?
- Making the legal casino offering more appealing
- What does the future hold for IP blocking in gambling?
- Conclusion: Do IP and payment blocking have any impact?
IP blocking in gambling: Net bans to protect players.
No provider would willingly allow themselves to be pushed out of the market. It is questionable whether IP blocking is even legally feasible. If individual pages are subject to IP blocking, people from Germany will no longer be able to access the service.
Currently, many individuals find it challenging to differentiate between legal and illegal gambling providers. By implementing IP blocking for illegal gambling, this issue would become a thing of the past. Nobody needs to worry about whether the online casino they visit is genuinely secure and reputable. Rest assured, this solution ensures peace of mind for all gaming enthusiasts.
The GGL has already provided the necessary information to the various internet providers. However, the internet providers are of the opinion that they cannot simply block websites at the request of the GGL. According to the providers, this would be a form of censorship. Nevertheless, the authority intends to work together with the internet providers to find a suitable solution.
Currently, there is a situation where certain EU-licensed casinos are temporarily inaccessible. Furthermore, some providers have already completely stopped offering their services in Germany. This indicates that there is some activity happening in the illegal market.
Should internet service providers implement IP blockades upon request?
According to the gambling state treaty, the enforcement measure of IP blocking is provided for illegal gambling sites. However, it is important for the gambling provider to first receive a prohibition order. If the provider fails to comply with the request for illegal gambling, IP blocking is an appropriate means under the new gambling state treaty.
In such a case, internet providers typically need to set up IP network blocks to prevent access to the offerings of the corresponding illicit provider. The GGL is striving to devise a straightforward approach for internet providers to establish these network blocks. The plan entails the GGL informing internet providers about the specific pages that need to be blocked.
What is the court's opinion on the GGL's plan for IP-blocking?
Courts have disagreed with the GGL and deemed the orders to block illegal gambling providers as unlawful. In February, the Administrative Court of Düsseldorf, among others, ruled that there is no legal basis for IP blocking.
However, the Oberverwaltungsgericht Rheinland-Pfalz has also expressed this opinion several days before the decision in Düsseldorf. For the GGL, this is undoubtedly a severe setback, as IP blocking was deemed a suitable measure to prevent access to illegal gambling and protect players. Naturally, this comes as a bitter blow to them.
The German Sports Betting Association has also expressed its opinion. They are demanding a change of mindset and different measures from the GGL to combat illegal gambling. After all, there have been several court decisions that have ruled IP blocking as unlawful.
Making the legal casino offering more appealing
It would definitely be beneficial to expand and make the legal offering in Germany more attractive. Among other things, there are numerous enthusiasts of table games and live casino games. Such offerings have not been approved for licensed online casinos at all thus far.
Definitely, the implementation of additional safety measures such as deposit limits and betting limits plays a crucial role in influencing the choice of many individuals to engage in online gambling platforms with foreign licenses.
If legal gambling is significantly strengthened and expanded, surely some players will be able to get excited about it. The GGL, therefore, needs to come up with something to move more people away from the illegal market.
What does the future hold for IP blocking in gambling?
What happens next will become evident in the near future. It's possible that other court rulings may emerge, making it legally feasible to implement internet blocks for illegal gambling sites. However, for now, we must continue to wait and see how things unfold.
To combat illegal gambling, GGL employs another method called Payment Blocking, where payment service providers are expected to halt financial transactions. As a result, several payment service providers have already withdrawn their support, with PayPal being the primary example. Furthermore, the Paysafe Group is gradually following suit, including the integration of Paysafecard, Neteller, and Skrill. It is essential for these companies to take a stand against illegal activities and protect their users.
Conclusion: Do IP and payment blocking have any impact?
Whether IP and payment blocking actually achieve anything is certainly questionable. There are plenty of ways to circumvent such restrictions. Technology enables us to continue accessing the service.
Preventing gaming activities will prove challenging when it comes to payment blocking. Numerous payment methods are available that allow transactions to continue unhindered. Noteworthy options include cryptocurrencies and the convenient MuchBetter platform.
Those who wish to play in illegal online gambling dens will continue to find ways to enjoy the full program. It requires taking a few detours, but many are willing to do so. So, the German gambling market, the GGL, and the blocking methods will remain intriguing. The excitement surrounding them will persist.