Dutch online gambling regulator in talks with advertising firms

The Dutch Kansspelautoriteit (Gaming Authority) is trying a softer approach on preventing unlicensed gambling operators from accessing Dutch residents when legalisation comes into force early in 2014, commencing a program of negotiation with media outlets in the Netherlands in a bid to persuade them to eschew advertising from illegal operators.

The regulator has a somewhat more aggressive approach to the operators themselves; Our readers will recall the example set in September this year when the Kansspelautoriteit imposed a Euro 100 000 fine on Curacao-licenced online gambling operator Global Stars for offering its services to Dutch residents.

A Kansspelautoriteit statement back then said the imposition of the fine sends a clear signal to businesses and consumers that online gambling is prohibited in the country until its law, currently being overhauled, allows the practice and then only by Dutch licenced operators.

GlobalStars domains named in the statement were myglobalgames.com, boekesbingo.nl and myglobalgames.nl which reroute to myglobalgames.com.

The fine was imposed following an investigation into the dot com website, its dot nl domains presented in the Dutch language and its iDeal payment system.

“I expect that the disclosure of the penalty decision to other companies and individuals will have a preventive effect and make it clear that the provision of (online) gambling without a Dutch license is prohibited in the Netherlands,” Jan Suyver, chairman of the the Gaming Authority said.

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