Dutch minister creates fast-track reporting system for match-fixing
A fast-track reporting system for match-fixing would ensure the Netherlands’ new Money Laundering Act does not prevent reports from reaching sporting bodies.
The Netherlands.- The minister for legal protection Sander Dekker has created a new fast-track reporting system for match-fixing after colleagues raised concerns that the Netherlands’ new Money Laundering Act could make it harder for sporting governing bodies to fight the practice.
Dutch MPs had questioned the impact that confidentiality protocols in the Money Laundering Act would have on the reporting of match fixing following critical reports in the Dutch media.
The Act, which is due to come into force later this year, requires all details regarding suspected money laundering to be reported to the country’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and not to be shared with anyone else.
There were concerns that this confidentiality may prevent the reporting of match-fixing to the relevant bodies because match-fixing may involve money laundering.
Dekker said that section of the Money Laundering Act would apply in specific circumstances. Suspicious odds movements may still be reported to governing bodies, as well as reports of match-fixing for non-betting purposes.
However, he recognised that the law may cause an issue for the reporting of betting by participants in sporting events.
He has therefore introduced a new fast-track reporting system agreed with sporting federations that would allow suspicious betting activity to be reported to the relevant bodies as soon as possible.
The system would see the FIU mark reports involving match-fixing to allow them to be sent to the relevant body. The system will be detailed further in an upcoming strategic consultation on match-fixing.
Dekker noted that much match-fixing for betting purposes could still go undetected since it often happened in unregulated markets in regions such as Asia.
Dutch regulator conducts raids in illegal gambling probe
Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Dutch gambling regulator, has conducted raids on homes in The Netherlands and Spain as part of a probe into illegal gambling.
The regulator said the owner of the homes raided is suspected of money laundering and of offering unlicensed gaming in the Netherlands. The raids in the Netherlands took place in the northern municipality of Velsen. The KSA said two luxury cars, money, jewellery and paperwork had been seized.
The KSA said it had worked with police, the Public Prosecution Service, the Tax Authorities, the Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD) and the municipality of Velsen under the Regional Information and Expertise Centre (RIEC) North Holland to combine resources and expertise.
The regulator also investigated two companies in Curaçao, which are now being assessed by The Netherlands’ Tax and Customs Administration.
The KSA opened the Netherlands igaming licensing process on April 1 as the country’s new Remote Gambling Act came into force after several delays. However, the regulator has stressed that offering online gaming remains prohibited until the licensed market opens on October 1.
See also: Netherlands gaming regulator clamps down on affiliates
