Dutch regulator stops online gambling ads on 23 sites

The Dutch gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit has stopped online gambling advertising on 23 websites.

Netherlands.- Kanssplautoriteit (KSA), the Dutch gambling regulator, has revealed that it stopped online gambling ads on 23 sites. This comes as part of the watchdog’s periodic research into affiliate marketing.

The Netherlands regulator analysed 44 websites as part of the study, and online gambling advertising was found on 26 of them. Twenty sites stopped the illegal activity after the KSA drew attention to it, and three only did it after the regulator threatened of imposing a penalty. KSA said that the investigation is still ongoing at the other three websites.

“Those sites receive money if they click through to the online game of chance from their website. Both offering online gambling and ads for it is prohibited under current legislation,” explained the Dutch regulator.

Protecting consumers is an important goal for the regulator. “Participants in games of chance from providers without a license are not assured of a fair game. Nor is it possible to monitor the participation of vulnerable groups, such as young people.”

The Netherlands to open online market

KSA said that its aim is for the Remote Gambling Act to come into force by July 1, 2020. This would leave the door open for online gambling to open in the Dutch market on January 1, 2021. If the Netherlands manages to process permit applications from July 1, 2020, there is a big chance that the online gambling market can be fully operational by the first day of 2021, René Jansen, chairman of the regulator said.

Moreover, companies have shown their interest in the licences: KSA reported that it received 183 notifications from companies interested in submitting an application to offer online gambling services in the country.

More than half of the companies (89) are foreign, while 83 already have an online gambling licence in another country. Moreover, 74 of them already offer physical games of chance. Despite the high number of companies that are interested in licences, the KSA said that not all of them will receive a permit, as strict requirements have been set. Applicants are tested for reliability and integrity, there are financial requirements and other conditions that include addiction prevention.