Key points:
- BlockDance BV offered unlicensed gambling in the Netherlands via bc.game and bcgame.lu
- The company must stop offering illegal gambling within four weeks or face a fine of €280,000 per week, up to a maximum of €840,000
- The KSA has taken action to protect players within the regulated Dutch gambling market
The Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA) has issued a penalty payment order to BlockDance BV for providing unlicensed gambling services in the Netherlands.
The company, operating through the websites bc.game and bcgame.lu, is required to halt all illegal gambling offerings to Dutch players or face a financial penalty.
According to the KSA, its research revealed that BlockDance was allowing users in the Netherlands to create player accounts, make deposits and participate in games of chance without the necessary licence.
Despite an initial attempt by BlockDance to block access to Dutch players, KSA’s monitoring showed that access to the gambling sites had been restored, leading to the current enforcement action.
BlockDance has been given four weeks from the issuance of the charge to cease all gambling activities targeting the Dutch market. Should the company fail to comply, it will incur a penalty of €280,000 ($303,720) per week, with a maximum fine of €840,000.
The Ksa highlighted that no technical measures had been put in place to prevent Dutch players from accessing the sites.
Good to know: BlockDance is not the first operator to face action from the KSA, as the authority has consistently targeted unlicensed gambling providers to maintain the integrity of the regulated market.
This enforcement follows other developments in the Dutch gambling industry, including the issuance of a licence to Lucky 7, marking the fifth brand to launch on the Finnplay platform in the Netherlands.
The KSA continues its oversight to ensure compliance with the country’s gambling regulations, which have become more stringent in recent years.