“ Stopping drug dealing on one street corner doesn ’ t eliminate the issue ; it merely shifts the problem to new locations . Similarly , the removal of a single destination website or app in illegal online gambling has limited impact ”
FIg 5 : Self-excluded players are still being targeted Fig 6 : Non-Gamstop web search
YIELD SEC ’ S CONTINUOUS VIGIL IN EUROPE
Yield Sec ’ s perspective on various European marketplaces reveals a disconcerting trend .
Illegal operators systematically target individuals within self-exclusion schemes , ensuring a steady influx of revenuepositive players . Whether through performance-based affiliate arrangements with lucrative net revenue share rates or through standard pay-up-front marketing deals , the exploitation of vulnerable individuals persists as a disturbing reality .
Efforts to address this issue must extend beyond mere site or app blocking or regulatory discussions with media stakeholders such as Google . The concept of a “ blocklist ” or “ blacklist ” merely captures a historical snapshot of past transgressions , failing to address the root problem and the need for constant monitoring , policing and enforcement .
Think of the dynamics of illegal online gambling as akin to the illicit drugs market .
PROTECTING THE LEGAL GAMBLING MARKET
Stopping drug dealing on one street corner doesn ’ t eliminate the issue ; it merely shifts the problem to new locations .
Similarly , the removal of a single destination website or app in illegal online gambling has limited impact on the overall revenue strategy employed by illegal operators , who use numerous mirrors and redirects for each and every brand . Each online betting , gaming and lottery destination in a marketplace functions like a street corner , demanding
constant vigilance in the form of monitoring , policing and enforcement – a need that persists 24 / 7 , 365 days a year .
This is precisely the solution we ’ re offering to regulators , exclusion scheme providers and other legal stakeholders in the gambling ecosystem . We must go beyond the good intentions of our responsible gaming policies and provide a proactive approach to ensure the fundamental purpose of legal gambling is realised – to replace illegal gambling .
We ’ re looking to help all legal stakeholders reach higher and provide active benefits to each jurisdiction ’ s commerce and community . By doing so , the revenue , tax , onshore jobs and control will be channelled to the legal stakeholder community as illicit gambling operations are identified , reduced and removed .
This will not be able to happen if we allow crime to take hold and prosper across our online gambling ecosystems while it harms the most vulnerable individuals in our societies .
ISMAIL VALI Ismail Vali is the founder and CEO of Yield Sec . Yield Sec stands as the preeminent marketplace intelligence platform , catering to the diverse needs of legal stakeholders in the global landscape of online betting , gaming and lottery jurisdictions . Find out more at YieldSec . com
ICE LONDON 2024 • ISSUE 135 • 127