DNS Blocks: Digital Protectionism by Design

Blog (EN)

When Authorities Turn Internet Infrastructure into a Censorship Machine

A critical look at DNS blockades – and how Switzerland protects its gambling industry with a technically inadequate instrument.

France's Paris DNS Ruling (January 2026)

In France, a Paris court in January 2026 ordered Google to block access to 19 domains and subpages via its DNS resolver that distribute live sports streams without rights. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
The court thereby strengthened rights holders – despite the obvious technical weaknesses of DNS blockades: DNS blocks are easily circumvented (e.g., with VPN or alternative resolvers) and can trigger overblocking. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

External Reading:

  • 📌 https://www.linkedin.com/posts/adriennefichter_google-dns-sperren-pariser-gericht-st%C3%A4rkt-activity-7416894755973926914-GmKE/?originalSubdomain=de
  • 📌 https://www.heise.de/news/Google-DNS-Sperren-Pariser-Gericht-staerkt-Rechteinhaber-gegen-Streaming-Piraten-11138579.html

Swiss DNS Blockades: Protectionism Instead of Player Protection

The Federal Gaming Board (ESBK) has been blocking foreign online casinos via DNS blockades since the Money Gaming Act came into force in 2019 (part of the legal framework to combat illegal operators). :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
The goal is supposedly player protection, but the result is sobering.

👉 According to ESBK, DNS blocks are "technically limited in effectiveness and fundamentally circumventable." :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
👉 Despite thousands of blocked domains, many remain illegally accessible. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

What Does the ESBK Itself Say?

In the ESBK's FAQ, it is explicitly confirmed:

  • Swiss players who play in illegal online casinos do not commit a criminal offense. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
  • The block lists are regularly published (with delay). :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

This shows that DNS blocks affect only access mediation, not the core of the problem.

Directly from the Authority:

  • 📌 https://www.esbk.admin.ch/de/fragen-antworten

Why DNS Blocks Provide No Benefit

1. Technically Easy to Circumvent

Browsers, systems, and users switch DNS resolvers (e.g., 1.1.1.1, 8.8.8.8). VPNs bypass local blocks. Alternative domains reappear within hours.

2. Security Risks Instead of Protection

DNS manipulation leads to falsification of responses on the network – functionally similar to a man-in-the-middle attack. This undermines DNS security (DNSSEC warnings, error messages).

3. Administrative Costs

Monthly updates, Federal Gazette publications, and provider coordination consume time and tax money – with minimal effect.

4. No Measurable Player Protection

Studies indicate high market shares of illegal online gambling. Despite years of blocks, there is a lack of reliable data showing that DNS blockades reduce this share. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

Democratic Mandate ≠ Professional Effectiveness

The Swiss population voted for the Money Gaming Act in 2018 – with the goal of strengthening player protection and national regulation.
This is a democratic will.
But: Democratic legitimacy does not make an unsuitable technical instrument effective.

Conclusion: Symbolic Politics with a Price

DNS blocks are:

  • technically ineffective
  • administratively expensive
  • security-relevant problematic
  • protectionist financially motivated

They neither effectively protect players nor solve the actual problem of illegal offerings. Instead, the regulation generates legitimate revenue for the national gambling market – while damaging the internet as neutral infrastructure.

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