Key points:
- Ten player accounts showed large losses among 18 to 23-year-olds
- Operator failed to intervene despite clear signs of risky gambling
- Identity withheld due to ongoing court proceedings
The Dutch Gambling Authority (KSA) has fined a licensed operator €734,000 ($784,000) following an investigation that uncovered a failure to act on indicators of excessive gambling among young adults.
The KSA launched the investigation after receiving reports of high losses among players aged between 18 and 23. It selected 10 cases for review, each involving tens of thousands of euros lost over short periods. In all ten cases, the regulator found that the operator had not met its duty of care obligations.
Under Dutch law, gambling providers must take timely and effective action when there are signs of harmful behaviour. Michel Groothuizen, Chair of the KSA, reiterated the importance of this obligation, stating that operators must respond adequately when such risk indicators emerge, particularly with young adults who may be more vulnerable to gambling harm.
The regulator emphasised that large and repeated losses should have triggered immediate intervention. Instead, the operator allowed the behaviour to continue unchecked, prompting regulatory action.
Although the KSA would ordinarily publish the name of the licensee to ensure transparency and consumer protection, the operator has obtained a court injunction to prevent disclosure during the ongoing legal process. The court found that the complexity of the case required further assessment before the provider’s identity could be made public.
The KSA noted that it will disclose the operator’s name if permitted at a later stage in the legal process. It also reaffirmed its commitment to strict enforcement of duty of care requirements, especially in the context of online gambling.
