Key points:
- The KSA has announced its investigation into illegal gaming promotions in online and print publications in the nation
- 42 editors have been contacted regarding the advertising
The Dutch Gambling Authority, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has announced an investigation into illegal gambling promotions placed in magazines and online newspapers in the past six months.
Reports were received by the Authority that articles had been placed tempted readers to play without Cruks, the nation’s self-exclusion register. As such, targeting these players can be particularly harmful.
KSA researchers were able to contact 42 editors on the issue, and call on players to consult the Gaming Guide; a resource created by the authority listing all the licensed providers in the Netherlands.
Research into illegal ads did not exclusively include articles with links to illegal sites, but also included features using promotions, logos and images of Dutch banks. The severity of the issue was communicated to the contacted editors, with the KSA also asking that links be removed. Organisations also received information letters on how to avoid the issue in future.
Earlier this month, the KSA fined Sarah Eternal €900,000 ($972,000) for illegally offering online gambling via the site Casinosky. Violations included allowing Dutch players onto the site, lacking age verification systems and crypto betting options, among others.
The Authority also busted illegal poker tournaments this month, seizing tens of thousands of euros in cash across sites in Amsterdam, Asten, The Hague and more. One organiser was hit with a fine of €110,000 for their part in the operation.
However, fines are not the only work done by the KSA this month. The authority has also begun a crackdown on online gambling autoplay in the Netherlands, which is strictly prohibited due to its association with problem gaming.
