Dutch gambling regulator fines N1 Interactive

N1 Interactive has been fined by the KSA for offering gambling products to Dutch players.

The Netherlands.- The Dutch gambling regulator, de Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has issued a fine of €500,000 to Malta-based N1 Interactive Ltd for illegally offering gambling to Dutch players.

The KSA said the operator’s Betchan site had offered services to Dutch players in violation of the country’s laws. The site was accessible from the Netherlands and did not list the Netherlands as a country where online gambling was illegal, it said.

It added that it had identified several signs that the operator was intentionally targeting its offer at Dutch players, including use of “Amsterdam” as a bonus code.

The KSA said it had chosen to impose a higher than usual fine because the operator had no visible age verification in place and charged inactivity fees to players.

It noted that the Betchan website is no longer accessible from the Netherlands as a result of its actions.

The KSA began taking online gaming licence applications after the Netherlands’ new Remote Gambling Act came into force on April 1. The country’s new licensed igaming market is due to launch on October 1.

KSA chairman René Jansen said: “All conditions are aimed at ensuring that there will soon be a safe legal offer, whereby players are assured of a fair game and are protected against gambling addiction. This includes a strict approach to illegal supply, now and after 1 October.”

The KSA has also reported that it has had Facebook close down two illegal lotteries, VIP Lottery and Winnacttiee, which were being run via Instagram.

It had reported the lotteries to Facebook’s Gambling Regulatory Channel. The KSA warned that organisers of illegal lotteries may face large fines.

It said: “The KSA acts against these type of lotteries because there is no supervision possible. After all, the providers are not licensed. The KSA ensures that participants in games of chance can do so safely.”