Overview
- Executive director Tim Miller used a Jan. 19 speech at ICE Barcelona to call Meta's claim of ignorance about such ads "simply false."
- Searches of Meta’s public ad library for phrases like "Not on GamStop" surfaced promotions for operators that lack required UK licensing.
- GamStop integration is mandatory for UK-licensed online gambling, and ads touting workarounds indicate deliberate evasion of consumer safeguards.
- Regulators say Meta suggested authorities use AI to find and report violations, a reactive approach the commission argues should be replaced by proactive blocking.
- No fines or formal enforcement actions were announced, Meta did not immediately comment, and officials note similar illegal-gambling ads have appeared in other countries.