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UK Gambling Regulator Accuses Meta of Letting Illegal Casinos Advertise on Facebook and Instagram

The watchdog cites Meta's own ad library showing 'Not on GamStop' promotions that bypass UK self‑exclusion safeguards.

Overview

  • Executive director Tim Miller told the ICE Barcelona conference that Meta's claim it only learns about illegal ads when notified is "simply false."
  • Regulators say they easily found ads openly touting "Not on GamStop," a signal of unlicensed operators that can target people who have self‑excluded from gambling.
  • The commission reports very limited progress in engagements with Meta and says the company suggested authorities use its AI tools to identify offending ads for removal.
  • Meta says it enforces policies that require gambling advertisers to hold local licenses and removes violating ads once identified.
  • No fines or formal enforcement actions against Meta have been announced, and prior reporting shows similar illegal gambling ads on Meta in countries with restrictions.