The website provided access to casino games and sports betting, and no technical precautions were made to prevent players from the country playing games of chance. 

Only those with a Gaming Authority licence are allowed to offer online games of chance. This is subject to stringent laws and regulations aimed at ensuring there is a safe legal offer.

A licensed provider of online games of chance must make payments that unlicensed providers of such games do not. 

Furthermore, unlawful providers are exempt from paying taxes in the Netherlands and are not constrained in how they conduct business by the severe laws of the Betting and Gaming Act and the related licensing rules. This enables unauthorised vendors to present an alternative deal, the regulator emphasised.

Rene Jansen, Chairman of the Gaming Authority, said: “These providers can have an attractive effect on players and jeopardise the channelling to the legal offer. We consider this serious and highly undesirable. Dutch players deserve good protection from providers with a license from the Gaming Authority.” 

Recently, the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) unanimously levied a $150,000 fine against Caesars. The group was imposed with a fine for using free bets in its advertisements, which is specifically outlawed in the US state, as well as failing to include a clear notice within the ads of how problem gamblers can access help.