Sportsbook duo investigated by Dutch regulator
KSA opens new investigation after two more online sportsbooks are alleged to have targeted Dutch customers
The Netherlands’ gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has launched investigations into two online sportsbooks after the pair were alleged to have ignored previous warnings and illegally targeted the Dutch market.
Although the KSA did not name the two operators, it did say if found guilty the pair could face a 780,000 fine and be ruled out of the running for a Dutch operating licence when the market opens up as expected in 2015.
“They run the risk of further enforcement and additionally, for those who do not comply with the rules, [it] may affect authorisation if the Dutch market [opens],” The KSA said in a statement.
The warning came as the KSA announced it had completed an investigation into advertising during the World Cup and Tour de France after having warned a total of eight online sportsbooks in June about targeting Dutch customers.
The warnings saw 888 instruct its affiliate network to cease advertising in the country immediately, and the KSA concluded that all eight operators originally addressed had ceased advertising and that no further action would be taken against them.
However, the KSA has since found that two online sportsbooks had subsequently “jumped into the proverbial hole” left by the withdrawals and said these operators, as well as other affiliate sites, were now being investigated.
Earlier this summer Dutch MP Mei Li Vos questioned Secretary of State Fred Teeven over reports Wiliam Hill, bwin.party and Unibet had been actively advertising in the market.
Last month Teeven responded to the questions by confirming investigations were ongoing while he also said he would be in contact with the KSA in order to make clear how he expected persistent advertising offenders to be dealt with.
Speaking to eGaming Review this morning, a spokesperson for William Hill staunchly denied any wrongdoing and said it maintained a good relationship with the Dutch regulator, while a bwin.party spokesperson confirmed the operator would “always comply” with demands from a regulatory body.
Ewout Keuleers, general counsel at Unibet, said the operator had “at all times complied with Dutch requirements” and would “continue to engage in a positive and cooperative attitude with Dutch policy makers”.
Also attracting interest from the KSA were”continual advertisements” for online poker networks, and the regulator stressed it would monitor the vertical throughout the rest of the year with special attention given to events leading up to and surrounding the World Series of Poker final in November.
While the regulator refused to comment on the case when contacted, Dutch news site nuzekelijk.nl has reported that of the 74 affiliate sites originally recognised to be targeting Dutch customers only 22 remained by the end of the World Cup and Twitter accounts publishing special offers have also been closed down.