iGamingExpert

UK Gambling Commission shuts down Advisory Board for Safer Gambling

iGamingExpert0129 views

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has opted to close the Advisory Board for Safer Gambling (ABSG) as part of the market’s move to the research programmes funded by the statutory levy.

According to the Commission, the advisory board has completed its original remit of providing oversight and challenge in relation to the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms, so focus must now shift to “new arrangements better aligned to the next phase of research and regulation”.

Andrew Rhodes, Chief Executive of the UKGC, stated: “ABSG has played an important role in shaping how we think about gambling harms, and embedding lived experience perspectives into regulation. I want to thank all current and former members for their contribution and commitment.

“As we move into a new phase with the implementation of research programmes funded by the statutory levy, our priority is to ensure we have the right expert input to help inform our work. This is the right time to close ABSG and establish new arrangements that reflect the future needs of our gambling regulation and research.”

The UKGC noted that the ABSG assisted in important gambling regulation development, including recognising gambling harms as a public health issue and creating the Lived Experience Advisory Panel to include lived experience opinions in policy and regulation.

The Commission added that the advisory board also provided support to the introduction of the statutory levy, developed to fund independent research, education and treatment.

Helen Child, Head of Governance, added: “ABSG have made a huge contribution to gambling regulation and the Commission. I am grateful for the insight, engagement and challenge each and every member has provided.”

A new research-focused expert group will be established by the UKGC to “support the expanded role of research made possible through levy funding”.

The implementation of the statutory levy will cause several changes to take place in the UK gambling market beyond the closure of the ABSG.

One of those changes will be to GambleAware, as it will undergo a managed closure by 31 March 2026, with the charity fulfilling its existing commissioning agreements until the new system is in place by April 2026.

The levy will see the UK Research and Innovation, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, as well as NHS England and relevant bodies in Scotland and Wales, working as Research, Prevention and Treatment Commissioners respectively.

Read more

UK Gambling Commission lifts lid on black market activity

iGamingExpert0123 views

The UK Gambling Commission has released the first phase of a new study that seeks to provide insight into the illegal online gambling sector in the UK.

Initially focused on consumer awareness, drivers and motivations to engage with the black market, the research, conducted by Yonder Consulting, revealed only a minority of players were aware they were straying into the illegal market.

The research also found that those using the black market were more likely to prioritise better odds, playing games unavailable in the UK and alternative payment methods.

Others chose to do so due to the lower barriers to entry, such as ID verification processes, and the ability to circumvent protection measures like self-exclusion.

Andrew Rhodes, Chief Executive of the Gambling Commission, commented: “The illegal online market is unsafe, unfair and criminal – that is why the Commission has invested heavily in this area in recent years.

“To be even more effective in combatting the illegal market it’s vital that we have both a deep and broad understanding of how it operates, and this insight is a crucial step in building that understanding in a very complex area to research.”

According to the research, users of illegal sites fall into four distinct categories.

‘Self excluders’, those who have previously chosen to self-exclude from licensed sites but feel the urge to gamble again.

Meanwhile, ‘social explorers’, players who typically discover sites through social media and affiliate websites, and ‘accidental tourists’, are both likely to be unaware they are playing on an illegal site.

“I didn’t realise these sites might be unlicensed. I didn’t even think about their being UK based or otherwise,” said one respondent in the latter category.

Finally, ‘skilled advocates’ are players who “knowingly and systematically engage with illegal websites”, and are motivated by the desire to acquire new skills and explore a variety of new game types.

Individuals in this group tend to find websites by engaging in conversations with other gamblers through platforms like X, Whatsapp, Facebook, Telegram and Reddit.

The Betting and Gaming Council estimates that £2.7bn is staked annually on the online black market in the UK, equivalent to 2.1% of the amount staked with regulated operators.

Despite engaging with black market sites, the majority of respondents agreed that it is important for operators to hold a licence to offer their services in the UK.

“We are determined to protect consumers and maintain confidence in the regulated sector by taking robust, evidence-led action,” Rhodes emphasised.

“Since April 2024 we’ve seen a ten-fold increase in our disruption activity, and we intend to continue to work with a wide range of partners to build on this success.”

The release of the study marks the start of a phased publication in the coming months, with later work focused on engagement and data trends, enforcement and disruption activity and the challenges of estimating the size of the UK’s black market.

Read more

Meta and Malaysian government set for crunch talks over illicit marketing

iGamingExpert0139 views

The Malaysian government is set to take aim at meta over the prevalence of black market gambling ads that appear on the site, according to a report by The Scoop.

It comes ahead of a crunch meeting between the two parties over the advertising of black market operators across social media sites, specifically Facebook.

The meeting, which is set to take place on 22 September, arrives following a flurry of complaints from the government over the lack of action from Facebook around harmful advertising.

One of the central issues set to be raised by the government’s Communications Minister, Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, is around the lack of action when it comes to blocking credit cards with known links to black market websites.

Speaking to reporters, he stated: “If a gambling ad is paid for using a credit card, and Facebook knows this content is illegal in Malaysia, they should block the credit card account used. But Facebook has refused to do so.”

“Many people benefit from these platforms socially and economically – but we cannot allow criminals to misuse them for profit or to commit online crimes.”

He also took aim at the platform over the accessibility of black market gambling adverts and just how prevalent they are.

Social trepidation across India

This issue is not isolated to Malaysia, a recent report by the All India Gaming Federation revealed the extent at which players in the country engage with the black market.

The report detailed that unlicensed betting platforms had a total of 1.6 billion visits over a three month period.

It was a report that specifically took aim at poor effectiveness of the current measures being in place when it comes to halting the black market – specifically pinpointing website blocking measures as not having the desired effect.

This partially comes down to illegal operators utilising mirroring websites to enable users to circumvent blocking regulatory takedowns and blocking protocols.

Central to this is the usage of new UPI accounts in order to evade detection from website blocking strategies.

The report cited RBI data from July 2024, which states that mules funnel around $300m in illicit funds every month, with the illicit gambling market being one of the most significant beneficiaries of these transactions.

It revealed that mules provide one of the key ways for the illicit market to evade regulatory and financial frameworks, an evasion they rely on to be sustainable.

Furthermore, there is also evidence, according to the report, that using blocking as the sole strategy when it comes to crippling the black market is simply ineffective. The report cited Norway, the UK, Denmark, Belgium, and the United States as markets that highlight this.

The network utilised by illegal operators was described by the report as “highly sophisticated”, engaging with a myriad of payment journeys and currencies – these include UPI transactions facilitated through mule accounts, cryptocurrencies, and international wallets.

In terms of traffic drivers to the illicit market, the report cited the significant impact of social media and influencer marketing, calling on strictness of advertising policies to be increased.

It detailed that over a three month period, social media drove 42.8 million visits to just four illegal sites, whilst referral traffic generated 247.5 million visits, primarily from adult sites, gambling affiliates and promotions on sports and video streaming platforms.

It specifically took aim at the Facebook advertising policy, which has grown monumentally in recent times.

iGaming Expert Analysis: The action of the Malaysian government could well usher in strengthening of strategies from across Asia when it comes to ensuring that social media giants do more to tackle the black market. We have already seen in India the impact of Instagram and Facebook when it comes to black market engagement. We have also seen the recent growth of TikTok when it comes to a platform that bolsters black market engagement.

The Malaysian government is clearly intent on ensuring that social media platforms do more and unsurprising given the funnel that social media can provide to the black market – here’s hoping that other governments will follow their lead on this one.

Read more

GambleAware: prize draws normalising gambling a ‘troubling trend’

iGamingExpert0116 views

GambleAware has published its annual report for 2024, citing concerns over a rise in marketing around prize draws such as McDonald’s Monopoly and Omaze, as it reported a significant rise in gambling harm support in the past four years.

Prize draws were highlighted within GambleAware’s ‘Annual GB Treatment and Support Survey 2024’ for the first time, but this vertical is not regulated as a licensed form of gambling.

The gambling support charity noted that prize draws are a vertical in which people who gamble are either estimated to be experiencing any level of problems from participating, around one in four (27%), while around one in nine (11%) are estimated to be experiencing ‘problem gambling’ (PGSI 8+).

GambleAware has warned that prize draws have “many similarities to certain types of gambling”, the risks associated with them may not be understood and that they normalise gambling, particularly for young people and children.

Image: GambleAware’s ‘Annual GB Treatment and Support Survey 2024’

Treatment and support survey

Conducted by YouGov, GambleAware’s ‘Annual GB Treatment and Support Survey 2024’ is an online quantitative survey of 17,933 adults in Great Britain, as well as a qualitative element.

Fieldwork was undertaken between 25 November 2024 and 23 December 2024. The survey included 17 one-on-one depth interviews with people who gamble and seven one-on-one depth interviews with people who recently started gambling.

According to the report, almost one in three (30%) adults who gamble and are experiencing any risk of gambling problems want treatment, support or advice, almost doubling the 17% figure from 2020.

GambleAware noted that the increase “could be an indicator of gambling harm as a growing issue across the country”, adding that the proportion of adults who are experiencing ‘problem gambling’ has risen to 3.8% in 2024 (2020: 2.4%).

There has also been an increase in the number of people being impacted by a friend or family member’s gambling, from losing money to having a relationship break down, with the figure increasing to 8.1% (2020: 6.5%), equivalent to an estimated 4.3 million adults.

“Gambling can be highly addictive, with devastating impacts on people’s lives, relationships and financial stability,” noted Zoë Osmond OBE, CEO of GambleAware.

“While it is encouraging that more people have sought help, this rise may also point to a growing public health crisis.”

‘Urgent preventative action’

The report also spotlighted children’s exposure to gambling, with 91% of people backing a ban on gambling advertising on TV and video games, while 90% support a social media ban.

Osmond noted: “We are increasingly alarmed by how gambling is being normalised and how frequently people—especially young people—are exposed to gambling across Great Britain. To reverse this troubling trend, urgent preventative action is needed. This must include tougher regulation of gambling advertising to stop gambling being portrayed as ‘harmless fun’.

“There should also be mandatory health warnings on all gambling ads, stricter controls on digital and social media marketing, and a full ban on gambling promotion in stadiums and sports venues to protect children and young people from harm.”

National Lottery and cost of living

The report also asked for perspectives on the UK National Lottery, which were mixed, as 45% of people agreed that the National Lottery was good for society overall, while 14% disagreed with the statement.

Perceptions of National Lottery game types were varied due to their characteristics, as draw games’ delayed gratification and lower cost per play were associated with less risk, while instant win games’ game design and ease of access were viewed as more addictive and harmful.

Image: GambleAware’s ‘Annual GB Treatment and Support Survey 2024’

80% of respondents also said that gambling had no impact on their financial situation in the past three months. However, those who were experiencing ‘problem gambling’ were the only PGSI group where the majority reported that gambling had some impact on their financial situation recently – 44% said it improved, while 23% said it had worsened.

The PGSI 8+ group were also more likely to report that the cost of living had impacted their gambling, with 43% saying they had gambled more, 30% saying it had no impact, while 23% said they gambled less.

The proportion saying they were gambling more increased with PGSI score, with the report stating that the findings show people experiencing ‘problem gambling’ don’t all experience the cost of living the same way regarding their gambling habits.

September 15 will see SBC organise a groundbreaking charity football event in Lisbon. Make sure you get the chance to see some of the most legendary names in football by securing your ticket today at https://www.legendscharitygame.com/

Read more

Roblox bets on AI to solve child ID and engagement vulnerabilities 

iGamingExpert0150 views

Roblox is circling on age liabilities with tougher checks on child users, but will it ever silence critics of its platform.

Roblox, the world’s biggest open gaming platform, has announced ambitious plans to “expand age estimations” of its users.

The announcement comes via a blog post by Matt Kaufman, Chief Safety Officer (CSO) of Roblox, aimed at addressing parental concerns about interactions between adults and children on the platform.

Kaufman explains: “Using a combination of facial age estimation technology, ID age verification, and verified parental consent, this process will provide a more accurate measure of a user’s age than simply relying on what someone types in when they create an account.”

Founded in 2004 by David Baszucki and Erik Cassel, Roblox is regarded as a breakthrough open gaming platform which pioneered a new era of game development driven by user-generated content.

Central to its success is Roblox Studio, a game development environment offering accessible tools for users of all ages and skill levels to create and publish games. This feature attracts young users who can earn Robux through their creations. Of significance, parents and educators increasingly view Roblox as a learning platform that fosters skills in engineering, programming, game development, and digital literacy.

A gaming giant of Silicon Valley, platform metrics for 2024 indicate that Roblox caters to over 380 million active users worldwide, helping the company achieve a market capitalisation of between $35bn and $40bn.

In 2025, Roblox made user safety its top priority, launching an unprecedented “wave of over 100 safety-focused updates to its platform”.

Leadership has dedicated substantial resources to developing AI-based moderation tools, most notably the open-source Roblox Sentinel system, which is designed to detect signs of child endangerment and harmful behaviour at an early stage. These measures are part of its broader efforts to build trust with users, parents, and regulators, while working to create a protected environment for children to play safely.

However, Roblox’s rising popularity has led to mounting criticism from parents and digital safety experts, particularly concerning its management of child users and potentially deceptive gameplay systems. With an estimated 35–40% of its audience under the age of 13, parents worry about children being able to interact with strangers, make real-money purchases, and access age-inappropriate content within an ecosystem that can appear safe on the surface.

Beyond its age-related liabilities, Roblox has also come under fire for casino-style monetisation mechanics embedded in some of its most popular user-created games. Critics argue that these games mirror gambling through randomised rewards, loot box-style prizes, and the use of in-game currencies.

One widely cited example is “Please Donate”, a game where users stand in virtual booths hoping others will “donate” Robux (Roblox’s virtual currency) — a system that critics say encourages a gambling-like cycle and social pressure monetisation. Another controversial title, “Adopt Me!”, has been criticised for encouraging players, many of them children to spend Robux to hatch mystery pets, a mechanic comparable to “gacha systems” found in mobile gambling apps.

Returning to the security blog post, Roblox has stood by the safety measures it currently has in place, positioning itself as a platform that goes further than many of its peers in protecting younger users. Unlike many competitors, Roblox promotes a community-based approach to safety, while also making clear its readiness to intervene directly when policies are breached or harmful content is detected.

“Unlike many other online platforms, Roblox proactively monitors all text chat on the platform, prevents user-to-user image sharing, and has default settings designed to prevent users younger than 13 from using private chat or voice chat. We also filter public chat to block inappropriate content. Roblox provides parental controls so families can customise default settings to what they feel is best for their child.”

As Roblox rolls out its sweeping safety reforms including improved age estimation and AI-driven moderation, concerned parents and watchdogs will be watching closely to see whether these changes meaningfully address long-standing issues of the gaming giant.

“We recognise that no system is foolproof and we cannot prevent all problematic content from appearing on Roblox.”

Yet, even with tighter controls and new technologies, these efforts are unlikely to quell the deep division surrounding the platform.

While supporters champion Roblox for offering educational benefits — from fostering creativity and problem-solving to teaching coding and promoting collaboration — others remain deeply sceptical.

A recent article by The New Yorker, provocatively titled “It’s 10 p.m. Do You Know Where on Roblox Your Children Are?”, branded the platform “a brain-rotting, hypercommercial dystopia”, underscoring just how polarising Roblox has become.

Read more

PAGCOR points to the Philippines’ looming black market threat

iGamingExpert0135 views

Amidst continued speculation about the future of online gaming in the Philippines, PAGCOR has underpinned the significant economic impact of the regulated sector.

PAGCOR Chair and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco emphasised that a significant amount of fees stems from licensing in the country.

Tengco stated: “Because of its huge potential, online gaming has become an important source of funds for our nation-building commitments, including PAGCOR’s support for education, health care, and community development.

“Every peso we collect from the gaming sector translates to meaningful projects such as classrooms for our children, health programs for our people, and safe spaces for communities in times of calamity. This is how we ensure that gaming directly benefits Filipinos.”

PAGCOR and President Marcos’ Government have been at loggerheads in recent months as the country sits on the cusp of a new era of gambling regulation.

Speculation over a total ban on the vertical has been rife, with local media reporting that a total of four bills, three resolutions and a privilege speech addressing the impact of the online gaming industry will be discussed by the Philippine Senate’s Committee on Games and Amusements.

PAGCOR is not only pointing to the economic impact of the regulated market as a key reason for the market not to be outlawed, but also the looming threat of the black market.

“These illegal sites not only deprive the government of much-needed revenues but also expose Filipino players to numerous risks,” Tengco noted.

The PAGCOR CEO underpinned enhanced enforcement against the illegal sector, emphasising its “commitment to strengthening regulation and enforcement to ensure that only legitimate and properly monitored operators are allowed to operate”.

Recent research revealed specific concerns over the continued offering of e-sabong, also known as cockfighting.

Central to the enticing of players to the black market was the allure of juiced-up bonuses of 108%, epitomising the hurdles faced by the regulated market when it comes to tackling engagement with illegal operators.

At the heart of the differentiation in marketing approaches is the affiliate strategy undertaken by both the regulated and the unregulated sectors.

The report revealed that many unregulated operators provide lucrative affiliate programs, sometimes offering 45–65% of gross gaming revenue to attract strong collaborations.

iGaming Expert Analysis: The news narrative tug of war shows no signs of slowing in the Philippines. As we hurtle towards legislative clarity PAGCOR will be doing all it can to underpin the threat of the black market, in a bid to avoid what it would depict as disastrous prohibition action from Marcos’ government.

September 15 will see SBC organise a groundbreaking charity football event in Lisbon. Make sure you get the chance to see some of the most legendary names in football by securing your ticket today at https://www.legendscharitygame.com/

Read more

BetMGM expands GameSense RG messaging in NFL stadia

iGamingExpert0131 views

BetMGM and MGM Resorts International are spreading responsible gaming messaging at select NFL stadiums for the third consecutive year, including at the Philadelphia Eagles’ Lincoln Financial Field for the first time.

The GameSense messaging from the operators will be visible on LED ribbons at Lincoln Financial Field, which will host the opening game of the 2025 NFL season on Thursday night between the Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys.

New for this season, messages will be featured prominently on stadium scoreboards during pre-game activities and also within gameday magazines.

Alongside Lincoln Financial Field, other NFL stadiums that will be promoting GameSense messaging this season include Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh Steelers), Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas Raiders), Empower Field at Mile High (Denver Broncos), Ford Field (Detroit Lions), GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City Chiefs), M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore Ravens), MetLife Stadium (New York Jets), Nissan Stadium (Tennessee Titans) and State Farm Stadium (Arizona Cardinals).

Rhea Loney, Chief Compliance Officer at BetMGM, stated: “Placing GameSense in league stadiums gives us direct access to millions of fans each week. It’s a powerful platform to promote public awareness and amplify our company’s commitment to provide a safe and informed gambling experience.”

Responsible Gaming Education Month

MGM Resorts and BetMGM’s GameSense messaging is part of its partnership with the American Gaming Association (AGA) to promote Responsible Gaming Education Month, which takes place this month in the US.

First developed and licensed to MGM Resorts in 2017 by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, the GameSense programme “focuses on positive, transparent, and proactive engagements with guests and customers about how to gamble responsibly”.

Throughout September, customers will receive GameSense and the AGA’s Play Smart from the Start messaging via digital platforms, retail sportsbooks, Las Vegas marquees and the MGM Grand Live Dealer studio. BetMGM sportsbook will also send “take a time-out” and “budget before you bet” reminders to players with responsible gaming resources linked.

In addition, over 1,900 MGM Resorts employees have been trained through the GameSense Advisor programme, while BetMGM continues to provide lived-experience training to all its employees via its partnership with EPIC Global Solutions.

MGM Resorts is also announcing a $250,000 contribution to the International Center for Responsible Gaming, while both MGM Resorts and BetMGM will continue to support the AGA’s Have A Game Plan.Bet Responsibly. public service campaign.

Stephen Martino, SVP and Chief Compliance Officer at MGM Resorts, said: “Investing in our team members through extensive training and scientific research sets higher operational standards and elevates the guest experience. It also supports the long-term sustainability of our business and the communities where we operate.”

iGaming Expert: Given the attendance expected at Lincoln Financial Field for the NFL’s kickoff game between the Eagles and the Cowboys on Thursday night, the 2025 GameSense campaign should receive plenty of exposure.

It is vital that during showpiece occasions, the safer gambling message is provided with a platform as the industry looks to support those who need it most ahead of the new American football season.

September 15 will see SBC organise a groundbreaking charity football event in Lisbon. Make sure you get the chance to see some of the most legendary names in football by securing your ticket today at https://www.legendscharitygame.com/

Read more

Brazil takes new steps to strengthen marketing guidelines for influencers

iGamingExpert0118 views

IAB Brasil (Interactive Advertising Bureau) has launched a guide for digital advertising in the sports betting and online gaming sector, underpinning the maturing of the market.

The document puts forward rules and best practices for responsible communication on online betting platforms. The initiative addresses the legal and ethical requirements that have emerged with the regulation of the sector in Brazil.

It was developed to guide agencies, digital influencers, and advertisers by establishing limits for the promotion of betting platforms. The guide aims to ensure that campaigns comply with the regulations of the Prizes and Betting Secretariat (SPA) and the guidelines of the National Council for Advertising Self-Regulation (CONAR) – especially Annex X, which was created to set boundaries for the sector.

The publication reinforces IAB Brasil’s role in promoting best practices in the digital environment, and Denise Porto, CEO of IAB Brasil, highlighted the social role of regulated advertising.

“Regulated advertising plays an educational social role by informing the public about which platforms are safe and supervised,” she said. According to Porto, advertising helps build trustworthy brands that generate credibility and reduce the appeal of unregulated offers.

The guide consolidates the main legal and self-regulatory rules and guidelines applicable to betting advertising into a single document, highlighting points such as identification and transparency in advertising campaigns, licensing and compliance of operators, protection of minors and vulnerable groups, responsibility and prevention of reputational risks, and best practices for influencers and content creators.

Available for free download on the IAB website, the guide ensures broad access for all professionals working with advertising in the online betting sector.

September 15 will see SBC organise a groundbreaking charity football event in Lisbon. Make sure you get the chance to see some of the most legendary names in football by securing your ticket today athttps://www.legendscharitygame.com/

Read more

OASIS self-exclusion proves effective for volatile German gambling market 

iGamingExpert0153 views

OASIS, the central gambling self-exclusion system of Germany has recorded a major ramp-up in 2024 in-line with new measures imposed on licensed operators to improve player protection and customer intervention as part of regulatory remit of the Fourth Interstate Gambling Treaty (GlüNeuRStV),

Operated by the Darmstadt Regional Council under the oversight of the Bundesland of Hesse, the system is a key component of the (GlüNeuRStV) regime, in force since August 2021. OASIS acts as a centralised registry allowing players to block themselves from all licensed gambling platforms both online and land-based.

“The number of exclusions recorded in the OASIS player blocking system is increasing continuously,” the report states, “which suggests growing awareness and use of player protection measures.”

Graph 1: “Gesamtanzahl der in OASIS eingetragenen Sperren” (Total bans over time)

Over the course of 2024, more than 320,000 new exclusions were recorded, a significant jump from prior years. This rise is thought to reflect stronger public awareness, as well as greater consumer appetite for preventative tools as regulated gambling offerings expand across Germany.

GlüNeuRStV terms dictate that all licensed gambling operators must immediately make customers aware of several mandatory player protection tools, forming the cornerstone of the country’s consumer safeguarding strategy – tools that cannot be considered an option under German Law.

Players can register either voluntarily or through third-party referrals, such as family members or operators. Once listed, individuals are blocked from participating in any licensed gambling activity nationwide.

Unlike traditional blacklists, OASIS allows users to tailor the length of their exclusion. Durations range from the mandatory minimum of three months to multi-year bans, with the one-year option proving the most popular—accounting for over 50% of all exclusions.

Graph 2: “Dauer der eingetragenen Spielsperren” (Exclusion duration breakdown)

“The one-year exclusion period remains by far the most frequently chosen,” the report notes, “accounting for the majority of current entries.”

While many opt for short-term blocks, a growing proportion of users—particularly those with a history of problem gambling—are locking themselves out for between two and ten years, or more.

Among the standout features of the system is the 24-hour self-block, which has become a default safeguard. Available via a single click on any licensed gambling operator’s website, the feature was triggered between 40,000 and 55,000 times per month during 2024—suggesting it has become a go-to harm-reduction tool.

Graph 3: “Kurzzeitsperren (24-Stunden-Sperre)” (24-hour blocks)
Insert after this paragraph to show regular monthly use, peaking near 50,000.

“This option is activated immediately by the player without further checks,” according to the official guidance. “The ban is lifted automatically after 24 hours.”

OASIS is also a core part of operator compliance. Before processing any bets or player activity, licensed operators—both digital and physical—must verify each customer against the OASIS register. In 2024, that translated into more than 100 million verification checks per month, underlining the scale of the system and the regulatory load on providers.

Notably, exclusion registrations continue to outpace removals, contributing to a steady net increase in the number of blocked individuals.

Graph 4: “Eintragungen und Aufhebungen von Sperren” (Registrations vs Removals)

Insert here to show the gap between new bans and lifted ones—removals falling to ~3,000 while entries stay above ~8,000.

“The number of successful applications for lifting an exclusion remains low,” the report acknowledges, adding that third-party ban reversals require “psychological and financial evaluations”.

While the operations of OASIS remain under the jurisdiction of the Bundesland of Hesse, and not directly overseen by the federal Gambling Authority (GGL), the system’s data, structure, and regulatory insights are expected to play a key role in shaping future gambling policy across Germany.

Its insights will inform the upcoming academic atlas on the Fourth Interstate Gambling Market, particularly in areas concerning advertising regulation and customer protection frameworks. As Germany enters the fifth year of its regulated interstate gambling model in 2026, these foundational debates continue to polarise opinion within the Bundestag, especially around questions of governance efficacy, federal-state alignment, and the balance between market liberalisation and consumer welfare.

Read more