N1 Interactive Limited fined for illegal gambling in the Netherlands
The Dutch Gaming Authority, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has imposed a fine of €500,000 (£425,967.50) on Maltese-based company N1 Interactive Limited.
Since the Netherlands operates a regulated offline gambling market, whereby online gambling is not yet (but soon to be) allowed, N1 received a fine for offering illegal gaming to Dutch players.
Words like ‘Amsterdam’ were used as bonus codes aimed toward the Dutch audience, alongside zero indication on the N1 website of the Netherlands being a prohibited country for online gaming. The amount of the fine was determined across a number of circumstances; and extra fines were accrued by N1 for failing to add a visible age verification option alongside charging players extra for ‘inactivity fees.’
Legally, offering any online gambling is only permitted if a company has a licence. It is especially unlawful to offer any type of online gambling via the internet to the Netherlands, a country which previously banned online gambling, and according to the KSA is deemed as ‘forbidden.’
There seems to be a slight revamp in this regulation since 1 April when the Remote Gambling Act (KOA) came into effect. With this, it will now be possible to apply for a licence to offer online gaming from 1 October 2021.
The aim is still to play safely and appropriately, ensuring there are always responsible gambling regulations to protect players against gambling addictions.
René Jansen, Chairman of the board of directors of KSA, states: “This includes a strict approach to illegal supply, now and after 1 October.”
With a view to protecting the Netherlands from illegal online gambling, the KSA has ensured N1’s website, Betchan, has since been removed and is no longer accessible.
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