UNITED KINGDOM
NETHERLANDS
SWEDEN
DENMARK
GERMANY
igamingbusiness . com
REGULATION
UNITED KINGDOM
SELF-EXCLUSION SCHEME : GAMSTOP
REGULATOR : UK GAMBLING COMMISSION
Yield Sec brought attention to the active targeting of Gamstop ’ s audience by illegal gambling operators in January 2023 . While illegal operators constitute 2 % of UK market share ( per Yield Sec data ), this figure has surged by four times since 2021 .
Yield Sec data reveals the primary driver behind this growth is the strategic targeting of GAMSTOP self-excluded players through various channels like search , ads , apps , sites and affiliates ( see Fig 5 ).
Search terms such as “ not on Gamstop ”, “ non GAMSTOP ” and “ get out of Gamstop ” have played a pivotal role in this growth ( see Fig 6 ). This has been assisted by the shift to search by voice from consumers , which has led to vast variance across the landscape of terms and destinations that require monitoring and policing .
Since Yield Sec ’ s initial discussion around this issue in the UK in January 2023 , the landscape has evolved dramatically . What was once a phenomenon with thousands of Google search engine results pages ( SERPs ) and numerous affiliates has ballooned into millions of search results , thousands of affiliates and hundreds of illegal operators , showcasing the scale and persistence of self-exclusion circumvention .
NETHERLANDS
SELF-EXCLUSION SCHEME : CRUKS
REGULATOR : KANSSPELAUTORITEIT As a recently regulated marketplace , the Netherlands grapples with the duality between legal , licensed operators and unlicensed , legacy black-market entities .
A current regulatory strategy , marked by well-publicised actions and fines against offshore illegals , appears to lack clear success in actual enforcement terms . There ’ s little evidence of fines actually being paid , or these companies ceasing their Dutch operations .
In this evolving market dynamic , hundreds of illegal operators exploit the nascent understanding of legal versus illegal realities , targeting self-exclusion schemes like CRUKS .
Search terms like “ Niet op CRUKS ” and “ Zonder CRUKS ” dominate illegal operator marketing and search engine optimisation strategies .
SWEDEN
SELF-EXCLUSION SCHEME : SPELPAUS
REGULATOR : SPELINSPEKTIONEN
In Sweden , Yield Sec ’ s platform detected widespread instances of Vulnerability Victimisation across the spectrum of Spelpaus and gambling-related search terms . Our platform ’ s AI and machine-learning capabilities uniquely enable it to capture audience activity and interaction , showing us growth in Sweden mirrors that of the UK .
We have seen notable surges during core seasonality periods such as the start of soccer seasons , Black Friday , Cyber Monday and the popularity of Christmas calendars within the betting and gaming offering across Sweden .
DENMARK
SELF-EXCLUSION SCHEME : ROFUS
REGULATOR : SPILLEMYNDIGHEDEN
Denmark , a mature regulated marketplace , shares similarities with the UK in terms of illegal gambling penetration targeting vulnerable audiences . Illegals in Denmark focus on children and self-excluded players , surpassing the UK in the share of the total marketplace infiltrated by illegal operators .
The majority of illegals address “ workaround ” schemes against ROFUS and KYC identity and payment security provisions . This creates a marketplace ecosystem that demands constant monitoring and enforcement – a void that currently exists in Denmark against criminal illegal operators .
GERMANY
SELF-EXCLUSION SCHEME : OASIS REGULATOR : DER GEMEINSAMEN GLÜCKSSPIELBEHÖRDE DER LÄNDER ( GGL )
Germany , another recently regulated marketplace , faced a lack of clarity before legalisation , fostering the growth of a massive illicit gambling operator spectrum .
Many unlicensed operators persisted and are now joined by new entrant illegals . A majority of illegals prioritise targeting Oasis-scheme audiences . They leverage a low- CPA , high revenue per player “ guarantee ” for their ads across affiliates , search and social platforms that target these vulnerable individuals .
126 • ISSUE 135 • ICE LONDON 2024