Netherlands Gambling Authority Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Gambling Apps

Illegal Gambling Apps Shutdown

• The Netherlands Gambling Authority has shut down 20 unlawful gambling applications in the country.
• This action is part of the regulator’s intensified efforts to clamp down on specific illicit gambling activities.
• In a related move, the regulator imposed a fine on a company that it determined had not effectively prevented access by Dutch players.

The Kansspelautoriteit, also known as the Netherlands Gambling Authority, has announced its increased momentum in curtailing the spread of unauthorized gambling apps within the country by targeting and shutting down individual operators.

20 Apps Targeted by Dutch Gambling Watchdog in First Quarter

Over the past three months, marking the first quarter of the year, the Netherlands Gambling Authority successfully removed 20 applications, which were found to be offering illegal gambling services to consumers. This underscores the crucial role that consumers play in this process.

The regulatory body emphasized that consumers themselves can identify and report such applications, enabling the authority to act more swiftly in closing any apps that are considered illegal. They encourage anyone submitting a report to include the app’s name.

‘It is of significant importance to the KSA that consumers continue to report these applications so that this effort can persist throughout the year. When reporting gambling advertising, it is crucial that the name of the application being advertised is specified in the report,’ the regulator stated in a translated announcement.

The Netherlands Gambling Authority has elaborated on its decision to intensify efforts against individual apps, noting that the issue has become increasingly urgent. The regulator expressed concern that many of these apps and websites were accessible to minors, potentially contributing to gambling-related harm and addiction within the nation.

These applications have adopted creative marketing strategies to attract consumers, often attempting to obscure their legal status by displaying the logos of licensed providers. This tactic creates a misleading sense of legitimacy, deceiving consumers into believing they are engaging with legitimate online casino games.

Dutch Regulator Committed to Enforcing Strict Penalties

The regulator has underscored the necessity of countering these attempts to lure players into black market operations that lack a license from the Netherlands Gambling Authority.

This is not the sole regulatory action taken by the watchdog in recent days. In another case, the Netherlands Gambling Authority pursued Techno Offshore Limited, accusing the company of operating online casino gambling without a proper license.

The watchdog has imposed a fine of EUR1.2 million ($1.32 million) on the company, asserting that the website failed to effectively block Dutch players from accessing its services.