Dutch State Lottery investigated over irregularities
Kansspelautoriteit confirms investigation into system security as operator Staatsloterij dismisses Dutch media reports
The Dutch Gaming Authority (Kansspelautoriteit) said today it will investigate the security of systems employed by the Dutch State Lottery operator Staatsloterij after media reports in the country suggested they were open to manipulation.
Reports emerged in the Dutch press over the weekend alleging and supplied by international lottery supplier Intralot were insecure.
Dutch newspaper Volkskrant cited four former Intralot employees as having said it would be possible to manipulate the outcome of the State Lottery due to the “vulnerability” of its operating systems.
The Kansspelautoriteit confirmed today it had launched an investigation into the security of files and systems relating to the drawing process of the State Lottery.
“Just the suspicion of possible irregularities in the most essential aspect of lotteries can cause serious damage to the confidence of consumers in lotteries and gambling in general,” the statement read.
Staatsloterij has dismissed the media speculation and insisted that its systems meet “all current security standards” and that checks carried out by independent auditors had given the firm “no reason to doubt” their reliability.
The operator said it would fully cooperate with the investigation and would give the Kansspelautoriteit a “warm welcome when they come”.
De Lotto, the operator of a second lottery in the country using Intralot’s platform, on Saturday said the Dutch Gaming Authority had informed it there was “no indication” the case extended to the company.
“De Lotto believes that fast independent investigation is necessary. Naturally De Lotto, if requested, [will be] transparent and fully cooperate with this investigation,” the company confirmed.
Intralot had yet to respond to request for comment at the time of writing.