Ksa Cracks Down on Illegal Bingo and Lottery Organisers

The Netherlands is known to be a country that is more amenable to allowing its citizens to live their lives as they choose. Historically this has seen them support LGBTQ+ communities, legalise the consumption of marijuana and in general promote self-determination as a way of life.

Interestingly enough Dutch regulations regarding awarding licenses to online gambling operators only came into force in April 2021 despite the introduction of the Gambling Authority (Ksa) in 2012.

 Open Minded Does Not Mean Laissez-Faire

Given the Netherland’s history of open-mindedness unscrupulous black market operators have assumed that this means the Authority will take a ‘live and let live’ approach to addressing off-book operations.

They could not have been more wrong. Rather the Ksa is determined to ensure that local gamblers are ensured fair play, receive excellent customer service, and are guaranteed to receive their winnings.

This year alone we have reported on the Ksa not only applying heavy restrictions on celebrity participation in lottery ads but also how they spearheaded an international task force comprising law enforcement, forensic accountants, and several other agencies to shut down illegal online casinos that had been target Dutch players.

Black Market Bingo and Lottery Next

September has seen them continue their pursuit of a safer gambling market for local gamblers. In particular, the Ksa is looking to end the operation of illegal online bingo shops and the sale of unregulated online lottery tickets.

This operation shows how aware the Ksa is of the variety of online platforms black hat operators use to reach their intended targets. Rather than simply hosting their offerings on standard websites Luxury Bingo and lottery operator BSB Shop has been pedalling their wares first via Facebook and then later on the chat platform Discord.

In both instances these programs suspended operations after being served cease and desist notices by the Dutch Gambling Authority, only to begin offering their services again after a short hiatus.

This reaction only serves to prove that their intention is to flaunt the gambling laws of the Netherlands and as such has spurred the Ksa into pursuing legal action which could amount to fines of around €35,000 and even jail time.