Dutch regulator fines online operator

The regulatory body fined an operator over unauthorised services to local residents.

Netherlands.- Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the regulatory body from the Netherlands, announced that it set a six figure fine on a Malta-licensed online betting site for offering its services to Dutch residents. Trustfulgames will need to pay over US$180.000 for allowing local players to bet on its Tiplix online betting site.

The regulatory body considers that they need to take action against the operator since they suspected that it was offering unauthorised services on a foreign territory where they don’t have a license. The first red flag for the KSA was the fact that the website offering a Dutch-language version, and they later found out that it was also offering slots and online casino games and sports betting services as well.

Back in December 2016, the KSA reported that they will take a series of stricter measures in order to fight unauthorised online gambling operators in the Netherlands. The Dutch gambling authority also announced severe consequences to operators that violate the measures, with higher fines if the operators make the same mistake twice. Kansspelautoriteit said that from January 2017 any site working outside its regulations would be directly eligible for enforcement action, with severe consequences if they violate the measures set in place: Fines can be as high as €820,000 for the most serious crimes, or 10 percent of sales to Dutch punters.

It is also expected that international iGaming operators could apply for a license and provide services and products in the country if a bill gets passed. Multiple sources confirmed that they’re expecting to see its market regulated in 2018.