Douyin Cracks Down on Gambling Accounts: 417,000 Shut Down

Chinese social media platform Douyin, known as the TikTok sister app of tech giant ByteDance, has taken drastic steps in the fight against illegal gambling. The focus of these efforts is to curb betting activities, particularly in the context of the FIFA World Cup. The platform is acting with great severity and has blocked an impressive number of accounts in recent weeks. This sends a clear signal to criminal groups attempting to spread sports betting through social media. This approach exemplifies how large technology companies can implement regulatory pressure.

These measures are not new but part of a strategy announced in April. Douyin has significantly expanded its monitoring and enforcement capabilities. The platform emphasizes that it works closely with law enforcement agencies to not only ban accounts but also hold those responsible for illegal activities accountable.

Numbers and facts

Douyin states that it has taken action against 417,000 accounts for promoting or enabling gambling within just one month. Of this large number, 90,000 accounts were permanently banned due to “involvement in black-market football betting activities.” The platform has forwarded details of several account holders to law enforcement agencies. A Douyin spokesperson explained the difficulty in detecting such activities: Criminal groups often used coded or “subtle” methods to promote third-party gambling apps and websites. Sometimes, QR codes were embedded in videos, redirecting users to illegal sports betting sites.

Douyin had already reported on initial measures in April this year, announcing that it was banning over 10,000 accounts daily. These accounts used “cryptic messages” and well-known euphemisms to evade the platform’s anti-gambling algorithms. Last month, Douyin assisted police in arresting 162 suspects involved in promoting illegal gambling sites and spreading pornography. Additionally, about 4,000 livestreams were shut down mid-session due to detected gambling-related references.

In parallel, China continues its broader crackdown on gambling. In Qingdao, Shandong Province, customs officials confiscated 35 silver gambling chips. These had been falsely declared as “imported collector’s coins.” Chinese law classifies gambling chips as “prohibited items for import and export.” They are deemed “harmful to China’s politics, economy, culture, and morality.”

Background

Douyin's actions and those of Chinese authorities must be viewed in the context of China's strict gambling laws, where online gambling is generally prohibited. The World Cup traditionally generates increased interest in sports betting. Platforms are under immense pressure to control their content and prevent illegal activities. Douyin is thus responding to societal and political expectations. Its cooperation with the police shows that this is not merely an internal platform policy but a state-backed campaign.

“A number of criminal groups used coded or ‘subtle’ methods to promote third-party gambling apps and websites. Some embedded QR codes that redirected video viewers to illegal sports betting sites.” – Douyin Spokesperson, on the methods of illegal gambling providers.

This case highlights the global challenge of combating illegal gambling in the digital space. Social media, in particular, due to its reach and anonymous use, provides fertile ground for such activities. The technical possibilities for evading algorithms are diverse. Platforms must continuously improve their detection methods.

Why it matters for German players

For German players, the measures in China are only indirectly relevant. However, they demonstrate the global trend towards regulating and combating illegal gambling. In Germany, the State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) is decisive. This treaty comprehensively re-regulated online gambling in Germany. Players in Germany can legally and securely play in online gaming halls with a license from the Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL). Casinos on the GGL whitelist adhere to strict requirements, including player protection measures. These include a maximum stake of 1 euro per spin on slot machines and a monthly deposit limit of 1,000 euros.

These limits and measures are designed to prevent problem gambling and ensure a safe playing environment. The central self-exclusion system LUGAS is another important tool. It prevents simultaneous play with multiple providers and protects against excessive gaming behavior. German players should exclusively choose providers listed on the GGL whitelist to ensure their safety. Sites with MGA (Malta Gaming Authority) or Curacao licenses are not legal in Germany.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For GGL-licensed casinos in Germany, the Douyin case confirms their chosen path. The strict regulations in Germany are precisely designed to prevent what Douyin is fighting in China: illegal and unregulated gambling offerings. In Germany, too, there are repeated attempts to spread illegal offerings through social media or other channels. The GGL works closely with platform operators and authorities to combat such cases.

Legal GGL casinos have strict requirements for their advertising measures. Misleading or aggressive advertising is prohibited. Advertising gambling on Chinese platforms like Douyin, which do not operate in Germany and also have strict gambling bans, is irrelevant for GGL casinos. The focus for GGL casinos is on compliance with the GlüStV 2021 and ensuring player protection within the German legal framework. German regulation, even if sometimes perceived as too strict, ultimately serves consumer protection and channels the urge to gamble into legal avenues.