Dutch regulator raises penalty for illegal online gambling

The gambling regulator of the Netherlands, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has increased the minimum penalty for illegal online gambling offences to €200,000. Previously the minimum fine was €150,000. The new has come into force after the country’s Senate decided to approve its Remote Gaming Act.

Penalty could be subject to change based on the number of illegal websites and games and the number of bonuses and prizes that are offered by operators.

René Jansen, chairman of the KSA Board of Directors, said: “The fines we used were not terrifying enough. The Senate recently adopted the bill on remote games of chance, which makes it possible to apply for a license in time for offering gambling via the internet. Illegal games of chance continue to fight the KSA firmly now and later.”

“The intention of the law is to create an attractive legal online gaming offering, which makes it possible for consumers to play safely on a fair market. There is no room for illegal providers. That is why we intend to thoroughly review our penalties policy for the future. The updating of the fines policy is now only a first step.”

It follows the regulator’s crackdown on gambling operators across the Netherlands as, during the course of 2018, it issued fines totalling €1.7m to European operators bet-at-home, Betsson, MRG Group, Mr Green and Betclic.