The Netherlands’ gaming authority Kansspelautoriteit received a green light by the Hague Court to impose sanctions on unlicensed iGaming operators, after several fined gaming operators argued that the regulatory body fined them unrighteously.
The Netherlands’ iGaming watchdog slapped on the wrist 3 international gaming operators by imposing them tough sanctions for targeting the Dutch market, which is currently restricted. The affected online casinos are Co-Gaming Limited, Mansion Online Casino Ltd and ONISAC Ltd. Even though the wrongdoers are said to have paid their fines, they decided to bring the case to the Dutch District Court.
On 13th July the Dutch court ruled out that the fines, which Kansspelautoriteit imposed on the aforementioned iGaming operators are reasonable and thus, it approved the gaming authority’s right to impose sanctions on the gaming operators, who are breaching the law by offering their services to the Dutch players.
It is still not clear if the 3 fined operators will appeal to a higher instance, but it seems that the Hague Court confirmed that the gaming regulatory body acted within the constraints of its powers.
Besides the 3 fined companies, it was reported that Kansspelautoriteit imposed sanction also on other industry-involved operators, including Trustfulgames, who were said to coax Dutch punters. In that way, Kansspelautoriteit made it once again clear that it will not tolerate any violations of the online gambling rules and it will protect the Dutch players’ interests, promising to introduce even tougher penalties.
Under the Dutch law, only Kansspelautoriteit-licensed operators are allowed to operate in the country. This measure aims to stop the leakage of money to international operators. In order to close any loopholes in the legal framework, the government tightened the measures by introducing some more amendments. This, on the other hand, forced many operators to leave the Dutch market, as the regulations came out of the blue and they did not have the time to react.
Currently, the country’s market is closed to the international gambling operators and any violations of the law are subjected to legal prosecution. The Dutch lawmakers introduced a bill, aiming to liberalize the gambling market in the country. The Lower House passed the bill and it entered the Senate as it is the higher instance. Currently, the bill is waiting on the Senators’ desks for their decision.
On 13th July the Dutch Court ruled in favor of Kansspelautoriteit, which manifested the court’s support to the watchdog’s work. Now, it seems that the regulatory body is stimulated by the court’s decision and it will embark on a tougher online gambling operators hunt, who are trying to do business behind its back.
