The Dutch gaming authority, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has announced another major enforcement action. It fined MKC Limited, owner of Betworld247, a significant $1 million for illegally offering online gambling services to Dutch customers. This move is part of KSA’s ongoing efforts to regulate the gambling sector in the Netherlands and protect consumers.
Betworld247, operated by MKC Limited, faced the fine after the KSA discovered the site was allowing Dutch players to participate in online games without the mandatory license. The Netherlands requires that any gambling operator accepting Dutch players must hold a proper permit. By not adhering to these regulations, Betworld247 was found to be in violation of the Dutch Gambling Act.
The investigation by the KSA revealed several shortcomings in Betworld247’s operations. Notably, Dutch customers could easily register and play online games, indicating that MKC Limited hadn’t set up essential technical barriers. These barriers, such as blocking Dutch IP addresses or rejecting Dutch addresses during registration, are crucial for compliance. Moreover, the KSA noted a concerning issue regarding the age verification process at Betworld247. The site did not visibly verify the age of its players, a critical requirement to prevent underage gambling.
René Jansen, the outgoing chairman of the KSA, highlighted this lapse. “At MKC Limited, players could enter an age themselves without clear identification. This means that their website is also accessible to very vulnerable, underage players,” Jansen explained. He stressed that such neglect is a serious offense, exposing at-risk groups like minors to gambling. Jansen’s comments emphasize the necessity of stringent age verification in the industry, a standard practice in regulated markets to offer robust player protection.
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