Key points:
- Influencers posting this content first receive a warning from the KSA with a request to remove content within 48 hours
- Failure to do so could result in a €25,000 per violation penalty, with a maximum of €75,000
The Dutch Gambling Authority (KSA) recently imposed a first order subject to a penalty on YouTube influencer LeftlanePapi, in an effort to crack down on those who encourage illegal gambling activity via their social media platforms.
According to the regulator, LeftlanePapi posted videos that show livestreams of online gambling at illegal providers. Furthermore, the KSA found this content “actively advertised” these illegal providers by also encouraging viewers to play there.
After issuing LeftlanePapi a warning, the content was not removed, which resulted in the order subject to a penalty, the Dutch regulator said.
The KSA outlined what can come next if content is not taken down from the channel.
The regulator commented: “Existing content must be removed, and no new advertising may be made. If this does happen, the influencer will receive a penalty of €25,000 per violation, with a maximum of €75,000.”
The KSA plans to begin sanctioning other influencers who do not comply with requests to remove questionable content. It has adopted a two-step approach with influencers when dealing with situations like the one with LeftlanePapi.
According to its two-track policy, influencers will receive a message once a violation has been established, asking to stop their activities and remove the content within 48 hours. If influencers do not comply, the regulator will approach the social media platform to have content taken down. Influencers are then issued a first order subject to a penalty.
The regulator further explained its process in a statement: “The number of reports of influencers posting images on various social media platforms about how they gamble illegally has been increasing recently.
“The KSA takes these reports very seriously, because these influencers appeal to a (very) young target group with their activities. If influencers do not remove their content within 48 hours after a warning from the KSA, sanctioning action will be taken.”
