Study warns unlicensed gambling operators share personal data
The Dutch research found that data was shared with third-party sites.
The Netherlands.- A new study into unlicensed online gambling in the Netherlands has warned that some operators share players’ personal data with third-party sites.
Conducted by Quality Mark Responsible Affiliates (KVA), a compliance advisory board established by XY Legal Solutions, the study looked specifically at six unlicensed gambling sites that were accessible to Dutch players via either illegal affiliate websites or organic searches for the term “casino without Cruks” (Cruks is the Dutch gambling self-exclusion programme).
The KVA created player accounts on the sites to ascertain whether it was possible to register and bet without verifying identity. Its analysis found that each site’s privacy policy allowed the sharing of players’ personal data with third-party companies located outside the EU.
The study concludes that “extensive and unlimited data sharing with commercial partners” is one of the most common risks of betting with illegal operators, although it noted that some of the sites also displayed “one-sided and unreasonable” terms and conditions, including the right to close accounts and withhold payouts without explanation.
The sites analysed included Booms Bet, Tomb Riches and Vegas Hero.
The KVA had previously released a study showing that traffic to unlicensed sites in the Netherlands has increased since the introduction of new deposit limits on the regulated market last October. Licensed operators must now limit monthly net deposits to €700, or €300 for under 25s, although players can request to increase their limit.
The Dutch gambling regulator, the KSA, has been calling for more powers to take enforcement action against unlicensed gambling sites. The regulator has also warned that an increase in Dutch gambling tax has had unintended consequences, leading to a decrease in gambling tax revenue in the first quarter of 2025.
New Dutch gambling reforms are in the works but have been held up by political turmoil in the Netherlands, which has led to an early general election to be held in October.
