Dutch regulator says there’s a solution for the one way minors access legal online gambling
The KSA says it’s “virtually impossible” for minors to use legal gambling operators.
The Netherlands.- The Dutch gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has completed its investigation into gambling among minors. Its report concludes that it is virtually impossible for minors to gamble with legal gambling providers.
The regulator said that when age verification is circumvented, it is primarily via accounts belonging to adult family members and friends. However, it launched a probe last year after it received reports that it was possible for minors to create accounts with legal online gambling providers.
The study examined the registration process at online gambling providers, with a specific focus on identity verification and bank account verification. Transaction data requested from banks allowed for a more in-depth investigation into potential shortcomings, the KSA said.
The regulator now says it has found virtually no serious irregularities. However, in a very limited number of cases, players were able to use another person’s bank accounts or link their own bank account to another player’s account, it said.
This could occur almost exclusively in situations where people have exactly the same initials, the KSA said. Discussions with online gambling providers revealed that they did not have an immediate solution for this, but the KSA believes a solution is now available and says it will hold a technical session with online gaming operators to discuss what it expects from the sector in this regard.
The KSA said it will also share its recommendations with the online gambling providers at a later date. All of the guidelines will be incorporated into the regulator’s guidance on Dutch gambling legislation, the Wwft.
Michel Groothuizen, Chairman of the Board of the Dutch Gaming Authority: “The KSA is deeply concerned about minors gambling. Fortunately, it appears that this hardly ever occurs among licensed providers, but we do have clear indications that it is happening nonetheless.
“This is likely on the illegal market. Illegal providers often apply no or low standards for age verification and advertise specifically targeting this young demographic, for example via TikTok. This is extremely harmful, and the KSA is therefore working hard to combat the illegal supply. We are also placing a stronger focus on educating minors to make them aware of the risks of gambling.”
Earlier this week, the KSA ordered Unibet operator Optdeck Service Limited to adjust its due diligence practices after detecting breaches of the Netherlands’ Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act (Wwft).
