The proprietor of the social media account Luxurybingods has been charged by the Dutch gaming authority, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), for planning and promoting illegal bingo events. In response to illicit bingo operations operating without the necessary permissions and social media promotion of these activities, the regulator issued a penalty order.
To stop more illegal bingo operations, KSA has implemented hefty fines. If these activities are planned without a permit, there will be a fine of up to €190,000 for each game. Furthermore, there is a fine of €9,500 for each commercial that promotes these games, up to a maximum of €95,000.
According to Dutch law, small games of chance, such as bingo, can only be organized by associations that have been in existence for at least three years and were not created to organize gambling. Prizes for such games are limited to €400 per prize or €1,550 in total. Advertising these events is also strictly prohibited.
Illegal Bingo Promotion and High-Value Prizes
KSA inspectors found a live Luxurybingods bingo game at the Harbour Club in Eindhoven in March 2024. The event had been aggressively advertised on TikTok, but the organizers had not obtained the required authorization. The rewards greatly beyond the permissible limitations, and tickets were sold for €65. The Luxurybingods organization profited directly from the bingo proceeds.
KSA has voiced worries about the possibility of recurrent transgressions. The KSA had earlier issued a warning to Luxurybingods’ owner, who had a history of operating illicit lotteries on Instagram in 2022. The goal of the regulator’s punishment decision is to shield customers from unauthorized gambling and put an end to any further illicit bingo operations.
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