KSA issues cease and desist order to Winning Poker Network
Regulator threatens Costa Rica-based firm with €25,000 per week punishment for continuing to accept Dutch citizens without a licence
The Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) has issued a cease and desist order to the Winning Poker Network following repeated breaches of licensing rules.
In September 2022, the regulator found Winning Poker Network – the company behind of a number of poker ‘skins’, including Americas Cardroom, had been offering Dutch players the ability to play on its network without a licence through an unnamed skin.
Winning Poker Network, which is based in Costa Rica, promised after the KSA investigation that it would cease operations in the country.
Following a re-examination by the regulator, it found that the original website could not be accessed from the Netherlands. However, a new account could easily be created on another website.
Because Winning Poker Network had not completely stopped its services in the Netherlands, the KSA has issued the order subject to periodic penalty payments on the operator.
If the company continues to offer games of chance to Dutch citizens it will have to forfeit €25,000 (£21,954) per week, up to a maximum of €75,000.
The regulator also noted that it would regularly check on the Winning Poker Network to assess further breaches.
The latest regulatory action comes after the KSA issued a €400,000 fine to bet365 for breaching rules around targeted advertising to young people.
This followed the announcement of five operators issued with fines totalling €26m.
The highest of these penalties, €12.6m, was dished out to N1 Interactive for offering its services to Dutch players without a licence.