Dutch regulator gets tough on unlicensed operators
KSA will no longer issue written warnings, with those targeting Dutch market penalised in first instance
Netherlands’ gaming regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), is ready to take a tougher stance on unlicensed operators from next year, with those found to be unlawfully targeting the market immediately facing fines of up to €810,000.
The KSA yesterday said that from 1 January 2017 it would no longer be issuing written warnings to those which meet its prioritisation criteria – such as advertising in the market, offering Dutch language websites, etc. – and would instead take enforcement measures right away.
The regulator also said that those which did not meet its prioritisation criteria, but were still found to be offering unlicensed online betting and gaming to players in the market, would not escape punishment either.
Enforcement measures include fines of up to €810,000 or 10% of the operator’s turnover.
The KSA said the reason for its new approach was that all operators should now be aware that offering online gaming products in the Netherlands was illegal, and therefore warnings were no longer required.
The regulator said all operators had until 31 December 2016 to amend their products and websites so that they were no longer accessible by Dutch players and advised the use of an IP-country block.
The hard-lined approach comes after KSA chief executive Jan Suyver this week told a local newspaper that fines it had handed out were “difficult” to recover due to the perpetrators being based outside of the country.
A bill which would regulate online gambling in the Netherlands is currently making its way through parliament. It is hoped the regulator could begin the licensing process in July next year with the market to open either late 2017 or early 2018.