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Tipico Avoids Massive New Ksa Fines By 10 Days
By Shane Addinall Sep 28, 2021 LegalityThe Dutch regulator has slapped Tipico with a sizable fine for illegally targeting local players. The regulator's new fines however could see future transgressors pay far more aggressive turnover based penalties.As we have begun to see player spend and online gambling activity increase over recent months so has the uptake in regulator actions against casino operators.
In September alone we have reported several interesting cases including the $1 million fine imposed on EU Lotto by the UK Gambling Commission, Mr Green’s ongoing regulator woes which includes a €3 million fine by the Swedish gambling regulator and the plans by Spain’s DGOJ to tackle local sports betting fraud.
Illegal Gambling In The Spotlight
One of the most active regulators of late has been the Dutch Gambling Commission (Ksa). Only days ago, the regulator was once again in the news with the announcement that Malta-based online casino gambling provider Tipico was being fined €531,250!
The reason for the fine is that they had been found guilty of illegally providing games of chance, such as Online Slots, to Dutch gamblers. With its recent regulation, the Netherlands has transitioned from an open gambling market to one where a license is required.
This license outlines several specific requirements for offering games of chance, none of which Tipico abided by during their unsanctioned targeting of Dutch players.
Ksa Prepares For War
As part of the substantial fine, Tipico was specifically held to account for not abiding by the betting and game restrictions of the Ksa, for offering welcome bonuses illegally and most importantly for not carrying out any age verification on Dutch players.
It was the severity of these charges that boosted the initial fine of only €200,000 up to the final amount they were served with of just over €530,000. The operator can count itself fortunate that their case wrapped up now as the Ksa announced a sharp increase in fines for offering illegal casino games as of 1 October 2021.
Chairman of the board René Jansen said:
“It must pay off to apply for a permit and to offer it legally instead of illegally. That also means that it must really hurt financially if an offer is made illegally.”
As of next month, fines for illegally offering games of chance to Dutch customers will begin at an astounding €600,000. If the casino operator in question has a turnover of greater than €15 million the fine will be set at 4% of their turnover figure.
The regulation importantly does not set a ceiling to these fines meaning the sky is the limit when it comes to how much the Ksa can, and will, “make it hurt” when operators break the law.
A Shining Bastion
This newest case is only one more example of the direct approach the Ksa has taken in 2021 to address the scourge of black-market gambling operations, which ultimately serves to protect the interests of the players, operators, and the Dutch gambling regulator itself.
In addition to this case, we have had the Ksa spearhead an international task force that took down an illegal gambling ring, seen them look to create a fair advertising environment for land-based and online casinos, had them shut down unlicensed bingo and lottery operators, and much more.
It is great to see the Ksa taking its responsibilities towards not only Dutch players but also law-abiding licensed online gambling operators seriously.
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