GGL against illegal gambling operator Red Rhino
The Joint Gaming Authority of the States (GGL) imposed a fine of 50.000 euros on Red Rhino Limited. This is as part of their efforts to promote a regulated market and suppress illegal activities. But why was this fine imposed on the gaming operator Red Rhino Limited? The GGL explains that the penalty was due to a failure to comply with a prohibition order that was intended to prevent the provider from continuing to offer illegal gambling in Germany.
Red Rhino violates the order with a 50.000 fine
The GGL authority has been working for months to curb the growing illegal gambling in Germany. According to recent media reports, she has achieved particular success at Red Rhino Limited. This provider is said to have continued to offer gambling in Germany despite an enforceable prohibition order. The GGL then reacted and imposed a severe fine of 50.000 euros.
It was only a matter of time before the states' Joint Gaming Authority took action against the first unlicensed online casino provider. There are probably numerous lawsuits or at least ongoing investigations in the background. The gaming regulator had already informed about this last year. Many cases relating to illegal gambling operators have already been processed within the framework of the available statutory administrative procedures.
Benjamin Schwanke, member of the GGL board, commented on the approach as follows: “The GGL’s measures are having an effect, and we are observing increased containment of existing illegal online gambling offers.”
Harder Measures against illegal gambling through the GGL
Gambling has been permitted in Germany since 2021, but only for providers of online casinos or arcades that receive a license from the states' Joint Gaming Authority. Without this license, it is prohibited to offer virtual slot machines or other games of chance in Germany. Red Rhino Limited didn't seem to comply and published their offer anyway, and now they have to face the consequences.
A crucial criterion for legal action against illegal gambling is that there is no adequate protection for young people and players according to German standards. The authority therefore uses the administrative means available to take action against unauthorized online gambling offers. The imposition of penalty payments is an effective measure to enforce the prohibition order. Network blocking has also been attempted in the past, but the GGL has had only limited success with this in German courts. This is because enforcement measures against internet providers are difficult to enforce as they are not responsible for the legality or illegality of German online casinos.
