Google and EU Regulators Prepare Whitelist of iGaming Operators

Google, together with European regulators, is working on a whitelist of iGaming operators licensed in EU countries. It is intended to limit the promotion of unlicensed platforms. This was announced by Michel Groothuizen, head of the Dutch gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA).

Back in spring, representatives of several European regulators met with Google and Meta in Dublin. Following the meeting, they created a working group that is now preparing the list together with Google. It is not yet known when it will launch or exactly how it will be used.

According to the KSA head, fighting unlicensed iGaming operators through fines is practically useless because it is rarely possible to collect the money. That is why regulators are trying to restrict their promotion and payments, making it harder for users to access such platforms.

The situation in the Netherlands is quite interesting. According to KSA data, around 90% of online players use licensed platforms exclusively. However, the revenue split is nearly 50/50: for every euro spent with licensed operators, roughly the same amount goes to the unlicensed segment.

Meta also took part in the meeting with regulators, but nothing has been reported about its involvement in creating the whitelist. Earlier, we wrote about VNLOK’s complaints against Meta over ads for unlicensed iGaming operators on Facebook and Instagram. In September, the association filed a lawsuit against Meta.

If an agreement with technology companies cannot be reached, KSA does not rule out legal proceedings.