OASIS Update: How it’s going so far…

Michael Schumann
October 7, 2021
1641 Views

Since its official launch in August, the Oasis self-exclusion system has not lived up to its expectations. The goal of the self-exclusion scheme was to provide protection against gambling addiction and promote responsible gambling. However, Oasis has brought on more confusion and uncertainty than anything else. With thousands of online gambling operators connecting to the system since its launch, many setbacks and red flags cause great concern and inconvenience for players. Some of the major issues are the Oasis unlock procedures, applications and data security, and unclear protocol for technical failures.    

The problems with third-party bans

One major concern involves the prospect of being barred by a third party. A third-party ban subjects the player to a minimum one-year exclusion period from all online gambling platforms. Anyone can report someone as a vulnerable player and submit a request for their exclusion. The request is followed by an investigation where the player will always maintain the right to defend themselves before an official ban is issued. According to the Darmstadt Regional Council, third-party bans may be requested for several reasons, including a proven risk of gambling addiction, unfulfilled financial obligations, excessive debt, or wagers disproportionate to income or assets. 

One of the more alarming steps in the process for this form of barring is that the third-party applicant must disclose the player’s data. Information like your full name, address, birth date, and additional information is given to the regulatory authority. This means that your data may be transmitted without your consent. The third-party applicant must consent to use unencrypted communications and the fundamental risk of unauthorized access to the communication content. Ultimately this puts your personal information at risk without your initial consent or knowledge. As more information comes to the surface, it becomes more clear that data security is a questionable issue for many players. 

Unexpected bans affecting players

One major setback players are facing is finding they are under an Oasis exclusion unknowingly and without warning. Since the legalization of online gambling has only recently gone into effect, the new law does not account for the changes. There is no precedent set, and players who were barred from local casinos are seeing those bans transferred to the online platforms as well. The oversight is resulting in a lot of frustrated players. There have been reports of players previously engaged freely in online gaming activity, who are now suddenly blocked from all operators. They have no way to withdraw funds from these platforms and are accused of attempting to bypass Oasis blocks deliberately. If you are being subjected to exclusion through Oasis unwillingly, it is recommended to take further action with the Darmstadt Regional Council in Hesse.

Technical failures; still no protocol in place.

There is still a lack of protocol for technical failures in the Oasis system. This issue brings on a lot of uncertainty to German players. Currently, if the Oasis system is unavailable for any reason and players can’t be verified, operators are directed to block all players until the system is functioning again. This instruction is coming directly from the Darmstadt Regional Council. If the Oasis servers experience any malfunction or outage, all gameplay would be prohibited for everyone. Not only is Oasis not living up to expectations by those who opt-in, players who are not barred face the risk of being blocked from gaming. While not likely to occur often, it is important to have a more realistic protocol in place. The potential occurrence would be a huge inconvenience to the flow of gaming for players and operators.

Oasis Unlock: How to Remove a Player Ban

The Oasis unlock process is another barrier players are continuing to experience since the launch of the new self-exclusion scheme. Oasis comes with one of the longest unbarring procedures with excessive waiting periods and complicated procedures compared to other self-exclusion systems. 

The unbarring process for self-exclusion takes anywhere from a week to a month to complete. In terms of a third-party ban, players can expect a minimum one-month waiting period. However, this process does not start automatically. The barred player seeking to be released from the Oasis lock file will have to personally request and complete an application that must then be sent by post. These waiting periods do not begin until that application is received. If there are any mistakes on the application, the player must start over. The most important thing to remember is that it is up to the player to begin the Oasis unlock process. The application can only be completed and processed after the initial exclusion period has lapsed. It seems that the process could be simplified if there was an option to complete and submit these applications online. While that is still not an option, it is safe to speculate that it may become an option sometime in the future following further testing and analysis. 

As these operational issues continue and system testing progresses, players can expect to witness changes to Oasis policies and standards. The Darmstadt Regional Council has assured that updates will be made in the future to account for the inclusion of online gambling in German gambling law. However, the mention of changes mainly revolves around the use of player data in terms of processing and storage. There has yet to be any mention or acknowledgment of the other issues surrounding accidental barring, procedures for system failures, and the Oasis unlock process.

How to Successfully Bypass Oasis Block

As the Oasis launch has failed to meet player expectations and players are faced with more frustration and confusion, many are looking for ways to go around Oasis. There are plenty of options to responsibly bypass the Oasis block while still engaging in safe and secure online gambling. The most effective solution is to transfer gameplay to offshore casinos holding alternative licenses. Trustworthy options include online operators that hold an MGA license or a Curacao license. The MGA license is considered the safest license globally, and Curacao E-Gaming is a trusted industry veteran. To obtain these licenses, operators are subjected to a demanding application process with strict requirements and consistently monitored by the related gaming authority. Online casinos holding these licenses can provide an enjoyable and safe gaming environment while helping you to avoid the unreliable nature of the new Oasis unlock procedures and other uncertainties.

Author Michael Schumann

Michael Schumann here, originally from Germany, Berlin. Graduated from California International Business School in 2017. Researched iGaming industry regulations both in the EU and the US. Worked as a researcher-publisher with the big online publications; Business Insider, Gamblinginsider, IGB, Sportbild etc. With up to up to 7 years of experience under the belt and the new German Interstate Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV 2021) on the way decided to shift my focus on the homeland.