Dutch authority pushing for extra powers

The Netherlands Gambling Authority, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) is pushing for “extra powers needed to tackle illegal online gambling,” saying only then can it effectively supervise and protect the country’s consumers.

The KSA’s statement was in reaction to a report on illegal online gambling that appeared in media publications Trouw and the Financiele Dagblad over the weekend.

The KSA detailed the ongoing legislative attempt to regulate remote gambling under the draft remote gaming act, currently under consultation in the country’s First Chamber (see previous reports).

Marja Appelman, director of Kansspelautoriteit said in the response: “We have seen a steady growth of illegal online gambling in the Netherlands for more than ten years.  Data from H2 Gambling Capital’s data provider shows that this trend can be reversed by legalizing the market.”

Despite its currently limited powers, the KSA has taken enforcement action against numerous operators targeting Dutch consumers, advertisers and financial intermediaries, in some cases levying hefty fines in the hundreds of thousands of Euros.

In addition, the KSA has been largely successful in eliminating the proliferation of gambling apps through relationships with social media providers and app stores.

“The Kansspelautoriteit focuses on consumer protection especially on gambling providers who focus clearly on the Dutch market, for example by using Dutch language and advertisements that clearly aim at the Dutch consumer,” Appelman said. “However, it is our conviction that eventually the best way to protect consumers from malicious practices is to legalize the market. “

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