The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA/Dutch Gambling Authority) has granted a fine of €900,000 ($952,000) on MKC Limited for offering illegal games of chance.
Per the fine, Dutch players were able to participate in online gambling on the website ‘betworld247.com,’ which is owned by MKC. MKC does not have a licence for this and has therefore violated the Gambling Act.
According to the MGA: ‘Visitors to the website betworld247.com could, during a check by the KSA, create an account with Dutch address details, log in and participate in online games of chance.’
Furthermore, the regulator added that no technical measures had been taken to prevent participants from the Netherlands from using an IP blockade. Additionally, the age of players was also not verified.
René Jansen, Chairman of the KSA, said: “At MKC Limited, players could enter an age themselves without clear identification. This means that their website is also accessible to very vulnerable, underage players.
“This is a seriously culpable offence, which we have also included as an increasing factor for the fine. It shows once again that in many cases little attention seems to be paid to the safety of players on the illegal market.'
Also this month, the KSA ordered a penalty payment against Blue High House after it continued to supply games of chance in the Netherlands once it had been investigated and issued a formal letter from the Authority.
Recently, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA/Dutch Gambling Authority) reported that the increase in the number of gambling accounts in the Netherlands is stagnating and revenue growth has been getting smaller.
The legal market for online gambling in the Netherlands has grown in the past six months; but at a much slower rate than anticipated when compared to previously measured periods.
