Meta overlooks ads from illegal gambling sites, says UK watchdog

"Meta Platforms Inc. is turning a blind eye to illegal gambling sites that advertise on Facebook and Instagram, according to the UK's Gambling Commission. The regulator has been checking Meta's searchable ad library for operators that don't have a license but are targeting people in the UK, according to a speech by executive director Tim Miller, delivered at the ICE gaming conference in Barcelona on Monday."

"The UK Gambling Commission is among a growing number of regulators stepping up enforcement against illegal gambling operators that target local consumers while sidestepping local laws and safeguards. The UK has taken down hundreds of thousands of websites linked to unlicensed gambling operators and issued cease-and-desist notices, but it's a constant battle against an evolving target. Ads for illegal operators affect vulnerable people and benefit criminals and con artists, Miller said. Unlicensed operators don't pay tax and consumers face a higher risk of being defrauded."

"The Gambling Commission searched for ads that use the keywords not on Gamstop, which refers to a UK service that allows problem gamblers to block themselves from playing on gaming sites. All UK-licensed operators must integrate Gamstop and block players using the program. According to Miller, Meta suggested to the Gambling Commission should use its own artificial intelligence tools to find and report illegal ads. The tech giant promised to remove ads once notified, he said."

Meta Platforms permits illegal, unlicensed gambling operators to place ads on Facebook and Instagram that target UK users. UK regulators inspected Meta's searchable ad library and identified operators without required UK licenses. Illegal gambling ads circumvent local safeguards, avoid taxes, and raise fraud risk for consumers, increasing harm to vulnerable people. The UK regulator has taken down hundreds of thousands of linked websites and issued cease-and-desist notices while enforcement continues. Gamstop blocking is mandatory for UK-licensed operators, and regulators searched ads using keywords referencing Gamstop avoidance. Meta reportedly offered removal after notification and suggested use of AI tools to identify illegal ads.

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