Court Backs GGL’s Payment Blocking Order against Swiss Provider

Germany’s gambling regulator, Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), has won a major legal battle against an unidentified Swiss payment provider. This significant victory highlights GGL’s authority when it comes to protecting the German market from foreign influence and non-compliance.

The Decision Reinforces GGL’s Ability to Tackle External Threats

The GGL, for context, had issued a payment blocking order to the provider in question, asking it to stop facilitating payments for unlicensed gambling companies. The Swiss company, however, did not cooperate with the regulator’s requests, prompting legal action.

On October 2, however, the Halle Administrative Court upheld the German regulator’s blocking order. This decisive intervention strengthened the GGL’s authority, showing that its regulatory power extends beyond regulating internal bodies.

In addition to upholding the action against the unspecified Swiss provider, the court acknowledged GGL’s ability to ban not only existing unregulated gaming products but also future activities tied to illegal gambling.

The GGL was satisfied with the outcome and reminded international payment service providers that they are required to follow the rules of the markets they operate in.

Borders Are No Challenge

Ronald Benter, GGL’s chief executive officer, called the court ruling a great success as it showed that borders are not a challenge to the enforcement of Germany’s gambling law. He noted that the regulator will not tolerate uncooperative payment service providers that facilitate the provision of unlicensed services in Germany.

Benter noted that companies that target Germany without abiding by its law should be prepared to face the consequences. He urged payment service providers to instead follow the country’s regulations and cooperate with the GGL.

The GGL has been working hard to crack down on illegal gambling activities, persecuting those who provide unlicensed products. The authority recently thanked the public for its immense cooperation and contributions to the war on the black market.

According to a recent publication, the GGL had received 1500 tip-offs in 2023 alone. The regulator noted that public whistleblowing remained vital in the crackdown on unlicensed gambling websites, since the GGL had limited resources.

In 2023, the GGL examined 1,860 sites and followed up on 438 operators and advertisers suspected of promoting illegal gambling.