Zona de Azar Germany – Illegal Gambling Ads Down in Germany Thanks to Google Update

Germany.- November 21th 2024 www.zonadeazar.com Germany’s gambling authority, the Joint Gambling Authority of the Länder (GGL), has confirmed that Google’s recent update to its search engine, aimed at blocking illegal gambling ads, is proving effective.

On September 25, Google updated its advertising policies for “gambling and other games.”

The change has yielded positive results in Germany, as only gambling operators holding a license from the GGL are now permitted to advertise their services on Google within the country.

The update marks a long-awaited shift for search engine regulations in Germany, with the GGL having previously held discussions with Google on the matter multiple times.

The update for the upcoming changes in advertising was first issued at the start of September, when Google informed advertisers that the promotion of gambling services in Germany will be restricted to GGL-licensed offerings.

GGL’s certification requirement is now adopted as a mandatory measure for all gambling advertisers in Germany, including affiliates. Those offering gambling aggregation services, such as linking to multiple offers from different operators on their landing page, will no longer be accepted.

A subsequent analysis by the GGL in the weeks following the update has revealed that paid advertisement for unauthorised online gambling is no longer visible on Google’s search results in Germany.

Ronald Benter, Board Member of the GGL, said: “The changed advertising policy is currently showing a significant effect from our point of view.”

However, there is still room for improvement, Benter added, with the GGL maintaining a strict course of action towards adopting further restrictions against illegal gambling advertisements.

“We will continue to monitor the development and remain in contact with Google in order to achieve further restrictions on advertising opportunities for illegal gambling providers,” he concluded.

Edited by: @MaiaDigital www.zonadeazar.com