Dutch gaming authority against iGaming

Kansspelautoriteit, Dutch gaming authority, confirmed its opposition against legal iGaming industry.

Netherlands.- Marja Appelman, CEO of the national gaming organisation Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), shared the authority’s vision on Dutch gaming market. Appelman also confirmed the entity is against legalisation of online gaming platforms although national congressmen are debating new proposals to regulate the sector.

Illegal online gaming platforms would be totally blocked by the national authority as they do not compel with current legislations. In fact, Kansspelautoriteit introduced earlier this year a set of rules to regulate the iGaming industry. The rules limited iGaming operations by both international and local companies providing affiliates’ opportunities and casino services.

The Kansspelautoriteit received the approval of the District Court in The Hague to fine international iGaming companies for making business in the country without a previous permission by Netherlands’ authorities. Last month, the Justice ruled in favour of KSA’s resolution of imposing penalties to Co-Gaming Limited, Mansion Online Casino Ltd. and ONISAC Ltd.

HW Kesler, vice-chairman of KSA, announced a new regulation that establishes a new step in combating remote gambling, as they believe that underage Dutch citizens should not be able to gamble on international licensed online gambling sites. Fines can be as high as US$875k for the most serious crimes, or 10 percent of sales to Dutch punters. The KSA said that even though they set multiple goals and efforts, it’s difficult to collect the fines imposed because there are times where the offenders don’t have enough money to pay their debts.