ComeOn says it feels "victimised" by KSA verdict
Director Jovin Genovese adds firm will appeal 180,000 fine issued for targeting players based in the Netherlands
ComeOn Europe director Jovin Genovese told eGaming Review the operator feels “victimised” over an 180,000 fine from the Dutch Gaming Authority and said the firm still hoped to be licensed in the regulated Dutch market.
Yesterday morning eGR reported the Kansspelautoriteit had sanctioned GameOn after it judged the operator had continued to target Dutch customers despite being asked to remove the Dutch language option from its website.
However, speaking to eGR, Genovese said the company would appeal the verdict and insisted that it has acted compliantly to its interpretation of the KSA’s instructions.
“The fine will be paid but we were surprised to receive it, as we thought we had a dialogue with the authority and that we followed their guidelines,” Genovese said.
“We have shown good will from the very first contact, and would never jeopardise our long term outlook of being a licensed Dutch operator, by intentionally being in breach with the guidelines set out by the KSA,” he added.
According to the KSA ruling, ComeOn received multiple warnings regarding its actions and pledges to make a number of amendments to its website were not followed through.
However, Genovese insisted ComeOn acted upon a list of instructions issued by the KSA and said the findings of the final report came as a “surprise” for the operator.
“We would question why nothing was brought up in the format of a simple e-mail/letter, when this form of communication was already used by the KSA,” Genovese said.
A spokesperson for the KSA declined to comment any further on the case.