The Kansspelautoriteit, or the Netherlands Gambling Authority as the regulatory is known more widely, has said that it has been revving up its efforts to limit the reach of unauthorized gambling apps in the country, shutting down individual operators.
20 apps targeted by Dutch gambling watchdog in Q1
In the past three months alone, or the first quarter of the year, the Netherlands Gambling Authority has been able to remove 20 apps that it has deemed to have been offering illegal gambling products to consumers, highlighting the importance that consumers play in this process.
The watchdog argued that consumers can flag such apps themselves so that the regulator may move even more swiftly in shuttering any apps that are deemed illegal, asking anyone sending a report to the regulator to include the name of the app.
"It is of great importance to the KSA (the watchdog’s Dutch acronym) that consumers continue to report these apps, so that this process can continue throughout the year. When reporting gambling advertising, it is essential that the name of the app in question that is being advertised is mentioned in the report," the regulator said in a translated statement.
The Netherlands Gambling Authority has explained its decision to double down its efforts in targeting individual apps as the issue has now become "increasingly urgent." The regulator argued that many of these apps and websites were accessible to minors, which could contribute to gambling-related harm and addiction in the country.
The apps have become inventive in how they market and approach consumers, as well, attempting to veil their legal status by featuring the logos of licensed suppliers, for examples, and instilling consumers with a false sense of security that they are legitimate options to turn to when looking for an online casino game of chance to try.
Dutch regulator won’t hesitate to mete out stiff punishments
The regulator has stressed the importance of counteracting against such attempts to influence players and lead them to black market operations that do not hold a license from the Netherlands Gambling Authority.
This is not the only regulatory move that the watchdog has undertaken over the past several days. In a separate case, the Netherlands Gambling Authority has gone after Techno Offshore Limited, which the regulator accused of offering online casino gambling without a license.
The watchdog has issued a €1.2m ($1.32m) fine against the company, arguing that the website had failed to keep Dutch players out.
