google removing unlicensed sites from search kough-kough finally?

Mack32

Mack32

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hi ppl, saw in news that google adjusted thier algorithm to hide unlicensed gamblin sites from search results in netherlands. only licensed operators showing up now for terms like "online casino". this is massive if they roll it out globally. most people find gambling sites through google so this could kill loads of offshore operators
about time tbh, sick of seeing ads for dodgy curacao sites when searching for legit sites
 
doubt it tbh, just wonder how they determine whats "licensed" tho? some countries have multiple licensing authorities and some sites might be legal in one place but not another. so its gonna be complicated to implement globally
 
This represents a significant shift in how search engines interact with regulated industries. The Dutch implementation uses a whitelist approach - only operators licensed by the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) appear in gambling-related searches.

So technically Google likely implemented this through these main steps:
  1. Geographic IP detection to identify Dutch users
  2. Keyword filtering for gambling terms
  3. Domain whitelisting based on KSA license database
  4. Regular updates as licenses are granted/revoked
The challenge for global implementation is jurisdictional complexity. A site might hold MGA, UKGC, and Curacao licenses but be illegal in specific countries. Google would need country-specific filtering logic for each market.
However, the precedent is significant. If successful in Netherlands, expect rapid adoption in other regulated markets like UK, Germany, and obviously US. This could fundamentally alter customer acquisition costs for offshore operators.
 
bill_collins said:
This represents a significant shift in how search engines interact with regulated industries. The Dutch implementation uses a whitelist approach - only operators licensed by the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) appear in gambling-related searches.

So technically Google likely implemented this through these main steps:
  1. Geographic IP detection to identify Dutch users
  2. Keyword filtering for gambling terms
  3. Domain whitelisting based on KSA license database
  4. Regular updates as licenses are granted/revoked
The challenge for global implementation is jurisdictional complexity. A site might hold MGA, UKGC, and Curacao licenses but be illegal in specific countries. Google would need country-specific filtering logic for each market.
However, the precedent is significant. If successful in Netherlands, expect rapid adoption in other regulated markets like UK, Germany, and obviously US. This could fundamentally alter customer acquisition costs for offshore operators.
Click to expand...
Bill has a perfect tech breakdown. From a regulatory standpoint, this development addresses a long-standing enforcement challenge - how to limit consumer access to unlicensed operators without blocking legitimate businesses.

Traditional regulatory approaches relied on ISP blocking, payment processor restrictions, or direct operator sanctions. However, these methods often proved ineffective against sophisticated operators using multiple domains, payment methods, and technical workarounds.

Search engine filtering attacks the problem at the discovery phase rather than access phase. Most consumers find gambling sites through organic search rather than direct navigation, making this approach potentially more effective than previous enforcement mechanisms.

The Netherlands model involves close cooperation between the KSA, Google, and industry associations like NOGA. There's also a public reporting portal (Meld Vals Spel) where users can flag unlicensed operators, creating a feedback loop for continuous improvement.

We're monitoring this development closely as it may influence similar initiatives in other jurisdictions.
 
dunover said:
Bill has a perfect tech breakdown. From a regulatory standpoint, this development addresses a long-standing enforcement challenge - how to limit consumer access to unlicensed operators without blocking legitimate businesses.

Traditional regulatory approaches relied on ISP blocking, payment processor restrictions, or direct operator sanctions. However, these methods often proved ineffective against sophisticated operators using multiple domains, payment methods, and technical workarounds.

Search engine filtering attacks the problem at the discovery phase rather than access phase. Most consumers find gambling sites through organic search rather than direct navigation, making this approach potentially more effective than previous enforcement mechanisms.

The Netherlands model involves close cooperation between the KSA, Google, and industry associations like NOGA. There's also a public reporting portal (Meld Vals Spel) where users can flag unlicensed operators, creating a feedback loop for continuous improvement.

We're monitoring this development closely as it may influence similar initiatives in other jurisdictions.
Click to expand...
this is pretty unexpected tbh but will this affect bing and other search engines too or just google? seems like operators could just optimize for different search engines if google blocks them
or am i missing smth?
 
0bi1 said:
this is pretty unexpected tbh but will this affect bing and other search engines too or just google? seems like operators could just optimize for different search engines if google blocks them
or am i missing smth?
Click to expand...
look @0bi1 google has like 90%+ market share for search so even if other engines dont follow its still massive impact. most people simplu never use anything else
 
The economic implications are substantial. Search engine traffic typically converts at much higher rates than other acquisition channels - organic search users have demonstrated clear intent and face lower friction.

If offshore operators lose access to this channel, customer acquisition costs will increase significantly. They'll need to rely more heavily on:
  • Affiliate marketing (higher commission costs)
  • Direct advertising (higher CPM rates)
  • Social media promotion (lower conversion rates)
  • Email marketing (limited reach for new customers)
This shift advantage regulated operators who maintain search visibility and creates natural barriers to entry for unlicensed competitors. It's essentially a form of technological enforcement that complements traditional regulatory tools.
 
honestly surprised this took so long. google been filtering other illegal stuff for years (ok ones that dont pay). gambling should've been obvious candidate for same treatment
 
wonder if vpns will still work around this? or if google detects your actual location anyway. might not matter much for dedicated gamblers but will definitely hurt casual discovery
 
@conker probably depends how sophisticated googles detection is. basic vpns might work but they're getting better at detecting them
either way this is huge step forward for consumer protection. no more stumbling across sketchy unlicensed sites by accident
 
offshore operators gonna hate this. search traffic was basically free marketing for them. now they'll have to actually pay for customer acquisition like everyone else hehehe
 
good riddance tbh. tired of clicking what looks like legit site only to find its some malta operation with impossible withdrawal terms
at least licensed operators have proper consumer protection
 
@geordiecolin 100% mate. this levels the playin field between licensed operators who follow rules and offshore ones who dont
should improve overall quality of gambling options for everone
 
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