According to the regulator, the advertisements were for unlicensed gambling companies that were inviting Dutch players to their websites, and allowing them to play without the required player safety measures that are otherwise present with license holders, such as the CRUKS self-exclusion scheme.
The adverts were featured in online newspapers, prominently visible alongside the logos of highly recognisable and credible institutions, such as several Dutch banks.
Concerned customers immediately reported this to the KSA, which proceeded with an investigation. The investigation lasted for six months, and it is still unknown how many people exactly have fallen victims to the illegal websites.
The result – 42 editors contacted and asked to promptly remove the ads and the links behind them from their websites, as this is in direct breach of t..