The Netherlands gaming regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has announced it is monitoring 25 unlicensed gambling websites to make sure they’re blocking Dutch customers. It did not name the operators.
If they are not, announced KSA, “sanctions will follow.” Since the sites are outside of Dutch jurisdiction, the sanctions will likely be applied to third parties such as advertisers and payment service providers.
The Netherlands launched legal regulated gaming October 1. Before that date, operators were only required to not target Dutch residents, now they are required to block them.
When the legal market launched, several operators announced they would block customers from the Netherlands, including Entain, Kindred, LeoVegas, Betsson, Casumo and 888. However many other operators are still accepting Dutch customers, KSA insists.
According to the KSA, “The reason for the new policy is that the amended Gambling Act has made it possible to legally offer games of chance via the internet since 1 October.” It added, “At legal providers, participants in games of chance can play in a safe environment, in which there is a reliable game and sufficient attention for gambling addiction.
KSA says it will fine unlicensed operators 4 percent of their illegal activity that exceeds €15 million with a basic penalty of €600,000 when the turnover can’t be identified.
Ten operators are licensed to offer online gaming: Bet365, Tombola, Play North Ltd, Holland Casino NV, Nederlandse Loterij, the Janshen Hahnraths Group, FPO Nederland, Betent, Bingoal, NSUS Malta and LiveScore Malta.
Some operators, such as Entain and Kindred, are waiting to be licensed under a “cooling off” arrangement after they operated for many years outside of the law. The period will end April 2022.
