Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Dutch gambling authority, has issued figures showcasing its enforcement activities in the first half of 2023. According to the study, KSA undertook 32 investigations into unlawful gaming offers on popular social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. KSA quickly reported the posts to Meta, the parent business, which resulted in the closure of the responsible accounts. During this time, the regulator also issued punishments and implemented new investigative methods.
KSA has been vigorously pursuing operators involved in illicit gambling in the Netherlands. The regulator issues directives to these operators, providing them the option of ceasing their illegal actions or paying periodic penalties. KSA granted these orders to three providers in the first half of 2023. Several reports on additional fines are also being produced. Notably, an investigation launched in late 2022 against eight websites advertising illicit gambling products is still ongoing, with four of them facing enforcement action.
The KSA also addressed the growing usage of cryptocurrency as a payment option in the casino industry. In 2023, the regulator initiated six investigations into bitcoin payments used by gambling companies, each of which resulted in fines. This underlines the need for more stringent oversight in the digital domain to counteract illegal gambling operations enabled by cryptocurrency.
KSA assisted in 42 cases involving illicit land-based gambling in coordination with municipal and police teams. Local authorities conducted raids and coordinated operations as part of these investigations. The regulator has the right to seize essential materials, including unregulated slot machines, from illegal land-based businesses, increasing its efforts to eliminate illegal gambling.
The Netherlands placed a complete prohibition on various forms of gambling advertising on July 1st. This prohibition extends to television, radio, print, and public spaces. It also includes gambling sponsorships of sporting events and sports clubs. The ban will be implemented in two stages, with event and programme sponsorships being unlawful on July 1, 2024, and sports sector sponsorships completely prohibited on July 1, 2025. The Dutch minister for legal protection, Franc Weerwind, reaffirmed the nationwide prohibition in April, signaling the government’s commitment to limiting excessive gambling marketing.
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