Dutch Authorities Take a Stand Against Illegal Gambling Advertising

The Dutch gaming authority, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has commenced a widespread movement that should stop any affiliates using websites to advertise illegal online gambling.

The online gambling market in The Netherlands should launch in a few months, so KSA is doing some last-minute “tidying up” of their market by acting on all the illegal gambling activity currently happening in this country.

Legal Activity Only

KSA’s statement says that the regulator “periodically researches affiliate marketing for online gambling and online games of chance that advertise online.

In the previous wave of action against such affiliates, KSA has examined and analyzed 44 websites in response to their own observations and external reports, imposing sanctions immediately.

As per the current Dutch legislation, promoting and offering online games of chance is illegal. That will change soon, however, as on April 1st, the Remote Gambling Act finally went into effect after many delays. The online gambling market in The Netherlands will officially go live on October 1st.

Since the legal frame is now in action, interested operators can apply for licensed to offer games of chance online but anyone offering them without the license is in violation of the law.

A Long Overdue

The Netherlands’ online gambling market has been very long in the making.

After several delays, the latest of which happened in January this year, the online gambling market in this country is finally on the right course.

The implementation took a little more time because the people in charge thought this would result in a better regulation environment.

Sander Dekker, one of the figures involved, said that earlier he informed the public that the KSA are aiming for entry into force on 1 March 2021. Although the implementation is proceeding energetically, it has now become clear to all involved that careful implementation takes a little more time.

Prior to this, KSA held the discussions with stakeholders who agreed on delaying it all - the regulatory body confirmed that it was decided on this timetable after discussions with everyone involved.

Source:

“Ksa start nieuwe actie tegen illegale reclame”, kansspelautoriteit.nl, May 11th 2021