We usually prefer to talk about high conversion rates and how to buy traffic that actually converts. But sometimes the news in our industry is so loud that we simply cannot ignore it. It does not directly impact us, but it is always good to keep a finger on the pulse. And let's be honest, we want to keep your traffic profitable. Also, given that over 30% of our traffic goes directly into this sector, this information is a big deal for anyone working with an ad network and different web traffic sources, including popunder traffic.

For the last few months (well, years, to be honest), iGaming regulations have been a regulatory rollercoaster. If you thought the "good old days" were here to stay, think again. Here is what is happening and why you should care before you buy traffic or scale your campaigns.
 

The "EU license" myth is dead

For a long time, the industry lived by a simple rule: get a license in one EU country, and you are set to operate across the continent. It was the golden ticket for expansion.
Well, that argument just died.

Recent court rulings in Germany have shown that even with a Malta license, you are not invincible. Here is the story. A German player took the operator Lottoland to court, demanding their money back for losses incurred between June 2019 and July 2021. Why that specific period? Because back then, Germany had a near-total ban on online gambling.

The European Court of Justice basically threw a grenade into the industry. The ruling confirmed that an operator holding a license in Malta does not mean they have a "get out of jail free" card in countries where those games were technically banned. The court effectively ruled that those gambling contracts were void from the start.

The result? The operator was told that they might have to refund the player for their net losses.

We are talking about significant amounts of money per player. With this precedent set, thousands of other players across Germany are now lining up with their own claims. It turns out that having a license in one EU country is no longer a shield against civil lawsuits in another.

For you, as someone who works with web traffic, buys traffic, and tests different formats like popunder traffic, this is just another layer of the game. It is always worth keeping an eye on which GEOs are heating up to keep your campaigns running smoothly and avoid unnecessary risks.
 

Google Is Not the Same Channel Anymore 

Google is still one of the most powerful traffic sources in the world. But for gambling advertisers, it is no longer the stable, scalable channel it used to be.

To run ads, operators need proper licensing, GEO-specific approvals, and Google certification. Even then, access is limited. Not all formats are allowed. Not all keywords are available. And not all landing pages pass.

More importantly, approval today does not guarantee approval tomorrow. The real problem is not restriction. It is unpredictability. Over the last couple of years, Google has moved heavily toward automated moderation.

Algorithms now evaluate:
page structure
user flow
wording and intent
redirects and monetization logic

From a compliance perspective, this makes sense. But from a business perspective, it creates instability.

A campaign can run for weeks without issues and then suddenly get disapproved. An account can lose traffic without any visible change on the advertiser’s side. Decisions often come without clear explanations, making it difficult to adapt quickly.

The good news? Or maybe not.

Trafficshop is not Google. As an advertising network, we provide access to web traffic, including popunder traffic, that remains available without those layers of restrictions. Our ad network is built for flexibility, so you can buy traffic and scale without constant fear of sudden shutdowns. Of course, we are talking about clean domains and compliant landing pages. Here we fully stand with Google.

If there are any changes, our advertising network will make sure to inform you. Our managers are always there to help and honestly some of the best you will find ;)

So keep an eye on it. Keep everything under your control. And just in case, if you are looking to buy traffic or test new web traffic sources, including popunder traffic, we are here for you.

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