KSA has fake Facebook account removed over illegal lottery games

The Netherlands’ gambling regulator KSA has taken action to remove a “fake” Facebook account that managed illegal lottery games.

The Netherlands.- The national gambling regulator De Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has worked with Facebook to remove a “fake” account that offered illegal lottery games.

A fake account is one that can’t be traced to a single person or organisation. KSA has worked with Facebook for several years to remove pages offering unlicensed gaming, but it said this was the first time it has had a fake account removed.

It said the account was being used to run several Facebook pages that offered illegal lottery games. It said its investigation found that different people ran the account. Facebook agreed to remove the account at KSA’s request.

Lotto BV is the only company that has a licence to run a commercial lottery in the Netherlands under the country’s monopoly system, although there are also charity lotteries. Unlicensed operators can face heavy fines from the KSA.

The regulator said: “The KSA takes action against illegal lotteries because there is no supervision possible. After all, the providers are not licensed. Is there really a prize, is the game fair, are participants not scammed, is it ensured that no minors can participate? The KSA ensures that participants in games of chance can do so safely.”

Last week, the KSA has also reported that it had asked Facebook to shut down two illegal lotteries, VIP Lottery and Winnacttiee, which were being run via Instagram.

Last month KSA issued a warning to the state lottery, Staatsloterij, ordering it to remove adverts that showed professional football players.

Following an amendment in February, Article 4 of the Dutch Gambling Act prohibits gambling operators from using professional athletes in promotional material.