Ksa dishes out €1.8m in fines to two operators for illegally offering online games of chance

The probe was launched after Equinox Dynamic and Domiseda allowed its players in the Netherlands to participate in games of chance without the required licence which is prohibited under the Betting and Gaming Act. The fine was also imposed against both for aggravating circumstances, including lack of age verification and casino games being offered without a licence on the website orientxpresscasino.com.

The investigation revealed that Equinox Dynamic and Domiseda acted as providers and were imposed with hefty fines for various violations. René Jansen, Chairman of the Ksa, said: “The objective is to create a safe environment for people who want to gamble online. This includes taking strict action against illegal providers.” Recently, Ksa imposed a fine of €400,000 against JOI Gaming for violating a prohibition on targeting advertisements at young adults. The Ksa said that JOI Gaming sent advertising messages for online games of chance on its website between 8 December 2021 and 7 March 2022.

The authority adjudged that these advertisements were directed at the company’s young customer base. René Jansen said: “As far as we are concerned, the legislator is crystal clear: no recruitment activities aimed at young adults."

In December 2021, the Gaming Authority emphasised more emphatically to licensed providers how the provisions on advertising and recruitment activities are intended. It issued a statement saying: “The Gaming Authority considers it serious and culpable that this provider nevertheless focused on young adults.”