ng regulators in the Netherlands have today announced an increase in efforts to stop online gambling operators who illegally operate in the country.

Online gambling is currently illegal in the Netherlands, however many online gambling operators use links from internal Netherlands web domains which take consumers onto externally operated gambling sites outside the country.

The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), which regulates gambling in the Netherlands, is keen to stamp this out and have urged international gambling operators to block Dutch IP traffic from internet users and stop the processing of payment transactions on their sites from any Netherlands-based bank.

It has also announced the commencement of an investigation into potential use of online gambling sites by minors. In a statement released with the announcement KSA Vice Chairman Henk Kesler said: "That minors can participate in online gambling is unacceptable."

The tougher stance follows the issuing of new industry guidance relating to national advertising and marketing standards earlier this year.

In February the KSA moved to place advertising restrictions on all gambling advertisements appearing in print, digital, TV and radio mediums in the country.

The KSA has also announced that international gambling operators who fail to adhere to its regulations will be blacklisted and will forfeit any rights to apply for Dutch online gambling licences should the country choose to fully regulate the industry.