SBC News

Japan initiates new ‘strategy of enforcement’ to tackle unlicensed casinos

iGamingExpert0132 views

From 1 September, the National Police Agency of Japan (NPA) will initiate its new ‘strategy of enforcement’ against unlicensed online casinos.
The campaign runs parallel to new laws implemented by the Diet (Parliament) to combat the exposure of unlicensed gambling, as the promotion of offshore gambling platforms will become a criminal offence.
Yet despite imposing harsher penalties, concerns remain that the police and government are criminalising the wrong parties in the fight against illegal gambling. Japan’s legal stance on online casinos has long been unyielding.

Set by Japan’s Penal Code, all forms of gambling outside state-regulated industries—such as horse racing and pachinko are illegal. But in recent years, offshore operators have exploited digital loopholes and linguistic accessibility to capture millions of Japanese consumers.

The government’s legislative response, passed in June, is Japan’s most sweeping to date: outlawing not only the operation and use of unlicensed gambling sites, but also the advertising, promotion, and referral to such platforms through any online medium.

The updated law criminalises a wide array of previously unregulated activity. Influencer endorsements, affiliate websites, ranking lists, banner ads, smartphone apps, and even user-generated content are now deemed illegal if they direct traffic to gambling websites not licensed within Japan.

Media platforms are being put on notice, with ISPs and app stores expected to comply with takedown requests. To bolster its reach, Japan has appealed to foreign regulators including those in Malta, Curaçao, the Isle of Man, and the Philippines—to block access to Japanese users or remove Japanese-language support from gambling services.

The NPA’s language is unambiguous. “The use of online casinos—regardless of server location—constitutes a criminal act under Japanese law,” it declared. The Ministry of Justice, meanwhile, frames the reform as a matter of national sovereignty in the digital age: a pushback against “vice markets” that prey on the social and financial vulnerabilities of Japanese citizens.

日本国内では、オンラインカジノに接続して賭博を行うことは犯罪です。また、日本国内にいる人を賭博に誘引する行為は、海外からでも違法です。絶対にやめましょう。#警察庁 #オンラインカジノ #アフィリエイト #ボーナスコード #暗号資産　 https://t.co/lBVcp2rz9J pic.twitter.com/GVupAO4IiV
— 警察庁 (@NPA_KOHO) May 13, 2025

Fighting a Trillion-Yen habit

The government’s newfound urgency is rooted in sheer scale. A 2024 survey conducted by the National Police Agency revealed that approximately 3.37 million people in Japan—nearly 3.4% of the population have used offshore casino websites at least once, with an estimated 1.97 million active users.

The average annual wager per user sits at a striking ¥630,000 (approx. €3,900), placing the total volume of illegal online gambling at around ¥1.24 trillion (approx. €7.7 billion). This figure dwarfs the legal betting markets, and has led lawmakers to view offshore gambling not just as a moral concern, but a fiscal one.

The picture darkens further when viewed through a social lens. Nearly 40% of users surveyed did not realise that gambling on offshore casino websites was illegal in Japan. Among regular gamblers, 46% reported having incurred debt, with many borrowing money or using high-interest consumer credit to finance their bets. As the financial consequences spill over into family life, public institutions are under mounting pressure to respond. But the state’s answer has not been to offer support—it has been to punish.

Enforcement has surged. In the first half of 2025 alone, Japanese police made 279 arrests tied to online gambling, more than double the tally for the whole of 2024. And while much of the law’s language appears directed at operators and facilitators, the overwhelming majority of those arrested were individual consumers. The scale of enforcement, critics argue, is not only unprecedented but strategically misdirected.

Prohibition over Protection

Despite launching Japan’s first Integrated Resort in Osaka—complete with a multibillion-yen casino floor—the government shows no appetite for legalising online gambling. The prevailing logic in policymaking circles is that to regulate is to legitimise, and that legalisation would only increase exposure and normalise risk-taking behaviours.

Ministries such as Finance, Health, and Internal Affairs view gambling as a regulatory burden, not a potential revenue stream to be managed or monetised. There is no political momentum to reframe gambling policy through a commercial or public health lens.

Unlike neighbouring states, which permits tightly controlled state-run online betting via Singapore Pools, or Hong Kong Jockey Cub (HKJC) type business. Japan has never formally proposed or consulted on launching a national, state-owned online gambling firm. The very idea remains anathema to the country’s legislative culture, which treats gambling not as a taxable utility but as a social hazard.

Yet the policy emphasis on criminality has exposed deeper contradictions. Public messaging around the new law focuses almost exclusively on deterrence. There is no state-backed campaign addressing gambling addiction, nor significant investment in treatment or financial rehabilitation programmes. As a result, critics warn, Japan is tackling a behavioural health issue with a criminal justice toolkit.

The cultural context makes the problem harder to untangle. In Japan, addiction is rarely discussed openly and often perceived as a moral failure rather than a health condition. The social stigma is so strong that few seek help voluntarily. This silence has been mirrored in policy, with addiction support conspicuously absent from the NPA’s rollout plan.

Whether this strategy can succeed remains uncertain. In a globalised digital economy, borders mean little to offshore platforms with Japanese-language support and crypto payment systems. If Japan continues to criminalise behaviour without providing alternatives, it risks not only driving users further underground—but also undermining public trust that cannot be won by enforcement alone.

Read more

Ontario regulator warns casinos that ‘free play’ must mean free play

CanadianGamingBusiness0173 views

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has warned all licensed land-based casinos and charitable gaming operators in Ontario that they must be careful when using the term “free play” in any promotions or advertising.

The province’s market regulator issued a statement this week reminding operators that offers advertised as “free play” must comply with Standard 2.2.2 of the Registrar’s Standards for Gaming, which requires that players should not need to risk or spend their own money to access any bonus, inducement or credit described as “free.”

“If you promote something as ‘free,’ it must genuinely be free,” wrote the commission.

The AGCO stressed that promotions that fail to meet this condition are considered misleading and may be subject to regulatory action such as financial penalties. The statement adds that, whether intentionally misleading or not, “free play” advertising could undermine responsible gambling efforts by encouraging players to overspend.

As an example of a non-compliant offer, the AGCO posed a hypothetical scenario in which an operator offers new reward members the chance to earn $100 in free play by signing up for the casino’s rewards program, playing using their rewards card before Aug. 1, 2025 and receiving any losses before Aug. 31 back in the form of free play credits of up to $100.

In that example, players would have to spend and lose their own money before receiving the “free” credits. Because a financial risk is required, the offer cannot truthfully be called “free” and would therefore violate regulations, stressed the AGCO.

The regulator strongly encouraged all registrants to review current and planned marketing materials to ensure they fully comply with the Standards. Future non-compliance may result in regulatory action, including monetary penalties or other sanctions.

Operators have fallen afoul of the AGCO for marketing regarding “free play” in the past. In one instance early in the regulated market’s lifespan, in 2022, PointsBet Canada was fined $30,000 for advertising two gambling inducements for customers to play for free, one via posters on trains and in multiple products and the other via posters at two train stations. In that case, the violation was of Standard 2.05, which restricts the advertising of inducements, bonuses or credits, except when they are on an operator’s site or through direct advertising and marketing issued after receiving active player consent.

AGCO shuts down unapproved gambling machines in convenience stores
Also this week, the AGCO has revoked the lottery seller registrations of a number of retailers in the Greater Toronto Area that were found to be offering unapproved electronic gambling machines under the Prime Slot brand.

“Over the past decade, unregulated gaming machines have increasingly proliferated across North America,” said the regulator. “While they largely rely on chance like traditional slot machines, manufacturers have claimed they are games of skill and have installed terminals in convenience stores and other locations where gaming machines would otherwise be prohibited.”

“Unapproved gambling machines have no business being in convenience stores or other locations, particularly those that are available to children and youth,” said AGCO CEO and Registrar Dr. Karin Schnarr.

The AGCO said it will continue to take every action within its authority to protect the public against the risks posed by unregulated machines, particularly in locations easily accessible to children and youth.

Read more

Easter bunny and robot DJ adverts land Play’n GO in hot water with ASA

iGamingExpert0178 views

Three adverts with an Easter bunny, a robot DJ and cartoon princesses have landed Play’n GO Malta in hot water with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

Play’n GO has been criticised by the ASA for the adverts, which appeared alongside email inboxes, including those that belonged to children, as their imagery was deemed likely to have a strong appeal to people under 18 years of age.

Two complaints were received by the authority about the casino gaming content provider’s adverts seen beside their own or their child’s email inbox. These complaints challenged whether the ad’s content was likely to be of strong appeal to under-18s. The three banner ads from Play’n GO were seen in April 2025.

Adverts in question

Advert A, seen beside the email inboxes of two children, showed a cartoon Easter bunny in a superhero outfit holding a silver egg in one hand and a basket of eggs in the other with text stating “MYSTERY EGG SURPRISE”, “Easter Eggs” and “EASTER EGGSPEDITION”.

Advert B, shown next to an email inbox, featured a cartoon robot DJ with a purple screen for a face, displaying white pixels, with one arm raised and the other hovering over a turntable. It included text which said: “SPINNING RECORDS INTO THE BEAT”.

Advert C, seen next to a child’s email inbox, included three anime-style, cartoon princesses with text that read “Moon Princess Origins”.

All the ads featured the Play’n GO logo and an 18+ symbol, while the latter two adverts also included the UK Gambling Commission and BeGambleAware.org logos.

Play’n GO’s response

In its response, Play’n GO stated that each advert was for a separate slot title – the Moon Princess series; Spinnin’ Records into the Beat; and a game with an Easter theme – and designed to appeal to players of legal age across various jurisdictions.

While the provider admitted that adverts could be appealing to children, they believed the images were popular with adults and that gameplay “required an adult mindset” and so couldn’t be attractive to children.

The adverts were also run through AdRoll, a programmatic advertising platform, didn’t carry age restrictions, and were identified as related to gambling during the bidding process for advertising space to make sure they were only served to websites that had opted to include such adverts.

Play’n GO mentioned that users who visited their website could be retargeted with their ads on other websites, but a cookie-consent banner on their website meant “tracking or retargeting activities were only undertaken with a user’s consent”.

Despite not being an operator or offering gambling opportunities on its website, visitors are still required to confirm they are of legal gambling age in their respective jurisdictions when visiting the Play’n GO website, according to the ASA report.

The provider viewed this as “an additional safeguard to help ensure that re-targeted ads were subsequently directed towards individuals aged 18 and over in the UK”.

Play’n GO did note that an adult user “could previously have visited their website and provided consent, and then a child could see the retargeted ad alongside a free, web-based email account because they were using the same device at the same IP address”, describing it as an “acknowledged limitation within programmatic advertising”.

As such, Play’n GO stated the adverts had been appropriately audience-targeted, but acknowledged they had been “inadvertently served alongside a child’s mailbox due to factors beyond their direct control”.

Adroll added that the provider “took measures to deter players under the age of 18 through the age-gate on the website”, and that they didn’t serve ads to try and reach individuals under 18 and believed the ads “were not directed at, or likely to appeal to, those under 18, and had been either a “lookalike” prospecting or retargeting campaign”.

ASA’s assessment

However, in its assessment, the ASA has upheld the complaint against Play’n GO, as it considered all the ads were likely to be of strong appeal to under-18s. The adverts must not appear again in their current form, and Play’n GO Malta has been told not to include imagery that was likely to have a strong appeal to those under 18 in their future ads.

The authority said the Easter bunny in Advert A suggested the Easter bunny was dressed as a superhero taking part in an Easter egg hunt, which is popular amongst children, and there likely to strongly appeal to under 18s.

For Advert B, the ASA made the same case that it was likely to be of strong appeal to under-18s, as the authority stated that a cartoon robot DJ-ing is an activity likely to appeal to young persons.

For Advert C, the ASA noted that the colourful costumes and the anime styling of the cartoon princesses were likely to have a strong appeal to under-18s as well.

“We considered that it would have been acceptable for the ads to appear in a medium where under-18s could, for all intents and purposes, be entirely excluded from the audience,” stated the ASA.

“That would apply in circumstances where those who saw the ads had been robustly age-verified as being 18 or older, such as through marketing lists that had been validated by payment data or credit checking.

“We considered that the targeting measures used by Adroll, which relied on self-declaration of age of users entering the Play’n GO website and retargeting based on that data, as well as prospecting targeting using browsing behaviours, were not sufficiently robust to ensure under-18s were entirely excluded from the audience. We also understood that two of the ads had been served to space alongside the email inboxes of children.

“We therefore considered that Play’n GO Malta had not excluded under-18s from the audience with the highest level of accuracy required for gambling ads, the content of which was likely to appeal strongly to that age group.

“For those reasons, we concluded that the ads were irresponsible and breached the Code.”

Read more

UKGC hails deep impact of VIP rules but warns of land-based liabilities

Steve Hoare0163 views

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has published an ‘impact report’ on High Value Customers (HVCs) since introducing regulatory changes in 2020/2021.

The regulator has maintained concerns about the management and incentivisation of members of ‘VIP schemes’ or ‘High Value Customer’ schemes dating back to 2021.
Following a consultation process coordinated with the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), the Commission imposed new rules on the management and remit of VIP/HVC schemes used by licensed operators.

Headline measures included an outright restriction on VIP schemes being promoted to customers aged under-25. Furthermore, all operators had to appoint a senior executive to monitor and audit HVC schemes directly with the UKGC.
Technical requirements saw the VIP schemes adopt new ‘enhanced due diligence’ on source of funding and affordability checks. Operators must ensure that all VIP accounts are audited with records kept of customer wagers and activities to prevent compulsive gambling.
New rules were effective from October 2020, as the Commission warned about previous instances of AML failings related to VIP scheme management.

Presenting its report, the Commission cites: “The initial impact on the reduction of HVC scheme members in 2021 was included in the Commission’s Advice to Government – Review of the Gambling Act 2005 document, including an estimated reduction of 90% in the number of customers signed up to schemes.

“This report presents a further consideration of the impact of the restrictions to VIP or High Value Customer (HVC) schemes.”

Since the implementation of these rules, updated data from 2024 confirms that the number of operators running HVC schemes remains stable, and membership levels have not rebounded to pre-2020 levels.

Crucially, the number of enforcement cases where HVC schemes were identified as a contributory factor has significantly declined, signalling a major success in mitigating the consumer protection and compliance risks that originally prompted regulatory intervention.

Commenting on the findings, David Taylor, the Commission’s Head of Evidence and Evaluation, said: “The headline findings are that these schemes are no more commonplace now than they were in 2021 – after the regulatory change.

“The number of consumers in them has also remained consistent, and the data collected from operators indicates every HVC scheme now has a senior executive appointed to oversee and be held accountable for how the scheme is operated.”

The report also examined the economic relevance of HVC schemes. On average, such schemes now account for just 3% of Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) across the sample.

However, the Commission notes that non-remote casinos show a growing dependence on HVC customers, with HVC-generated GGY often exceeding 10% in this sector.

Taylor explained: “One sector in this exercise which seems to have a greater reliance on scheme members as a proportion of GGY is land-based casinos, which is in line with our expectations.

“The vast majority of customers in high-end casinos are high-net-worth individuals based overseas. This factor, in particular, may have led to the difference in GGY proportions compared to other sectors and it’s worth noting that this finding isn’t accompanied with any allegations of consumer harm.”

Positive Overall Impact & Change
The Commission deems the overall impact of its 2020–21 HVC policy as positive — achieving its primary goals of lowering risk and enhancing accountability. Nonetheless, it acknowledges that revisions may be warranted in light of the unique characteristics and reliance of the land-based sector on HVC clientele.

Taylor added a note of caution to audiences: “Whilst we remain mindful that this exercise is reasonably modest in scope, the findings indicate that the intended impact is being achieved. Although evaluation exercises like this will never be able to give total assurance, it does provide an indication that the regulatory objectives have been delivered and further changes are not currently required.”

On transparency, the report notes limitations of its evaluations, most notably that the analysis is based on a sample of operators rather than a full industry census. This means some outliers or emerging practices may not have been captured. Similarly, while the Commission reviewed complaints made through its Contact Centre and third-party channels, it cautions that low complaint volumes do not necessarily reflect the full consumer experience, as they may be influenced by public awareness or reporting mechanisms.

Looking ahead, the Commission confirms that the management and oversight of VIP and HVC schemes will remain under close review. Compliance teams will continue to monitor the sector, and “may recommend a future review if findings change significantly,” particularly in response to trends within the land-based sector or shifts in consumer protection outcomes.

Read more

Duncan Smith reboots APPG inquiry on Gambling Reforms 

Steve Hoare0168 views

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Gambling Reform has announced the launch of a new inquiry into the “Future of Gambling Regulation in the UK,” with veteran Conservative MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith assuming the role of Chair.

The move marks a renewed push by the cross-party group of reformists to scrutinise the Government’s gambling policy and challenge what Duncan Smith and colleagues see as an incomplete and insufficient White Paper.

“Much more needs to be done to ensure our regulatory framework is fit for the digital age to protect people from harm,” he said in a statement urging stakeholders to contribute to the inquiry.” Duncan Smith noted

A longstanding critic of the gambling industry, Duncan Smith has repeatedly attacked the prominence of betting ads in football and the leniency of current licensing practices.

He has also taken aim at the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), claiming the regulator is a “soft touch governor” that has allowed repeat offenders to continue operating with minimal consequences.”

The inquiry, backed by both Conservative and Labour MPs, will revisit key themes from the Gambling Act review, particularly those deemed undercooked or deferred in the White Paper. These include advertising rules, online protections, and new calls from local councils for more control at the community level.

Duncan Smith has further pressed the Government to reverse its decision to let Premier League clubs broker their own gambling sponsorship deals. He branded Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s position a “soft decision” and renewed calls for legally binding advertising curbs in sport, instead of the current voluntary arrangements.

This APPG-led initiative builds on a track record that includes successfully campaigning for fixed-odds betting terminal (FOBT) reform, the introduction of a statutory levy for NHS addiction services, and the implementation of stake limits for online slots.

As reported by iGaming Expert, reform advocates have welcomed the inquiry’s revival. Will Prochaska, Director of The Coalition to End Gambling Ads, said: “This is a significant moment in the campaign to reform the British gambling industry. The coming together of a Tory grandee — Sir Iain Duncan Smith — with fresh and passionate backbench Labour voices such as Beccy Cooper and Alex Ballinger is going to be a powerful combination on the APPG.”

The Labour government has pledged to implement the recommendations of the Gambling Review but concedes that certain issues such as advertising, public health and local oversight may require a specific review to determine outcomes.

Read more

Greece forms Task Force to strangle illegal gambling networks 

iGamingExpert0165 views

The Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP) will establish a task force “to combat the scourge” of illegal gambling networks.

The task force will be composed of EEEP units working in coordination with Greece’s national police, judiciary, and financial intelligence unit to dismantle criminal networks and prosecute offenders. Spearheading a “collaborative approach,” the EEEP has called upon broader government agencies and public bodies to engage in joint initiatives.

A deep cooperation is needed as EEEP seeks to understand how illegal gambling networks have used technology to bypass regulatory systems and engage with Greek online consumers.

Particular emphasis will be placed on understanding the operational tactics of illegal networks including their use of social media, encrypted messaging apps, and database marketing and the methods through which they obscure financial flows via layered transactional systems.

New intelligence from this initiative will be shared with government stakeholders to shape new policies and protective measures aimed at fortifying Greece’s regulated online gambling sector.

“Members must take unified legal action in Greece and use their capabilities to address this matter. Some recent actions taken (e.g., with the UK) are being assessed by a working group. To this end, there are legal provisions and a legislative framework that the EEEP may activate when necessary,” the Commission stated.

The Hellas Gambling Law was last revised in 2021, formally empowering the EEEP to introduce a permanent online gambling licensing regime. The framework ended a decade-long “grey market transition” by issuing seven-year licences, taxed at €3 million each, for betting and casino operations. The reform brought regulatory clarity and tax accountability to foreign operators that had previously operated under provisional licences.

To underscore the need for continued vigilance, the EEEP has published its economic update on the Greek gambling market, revealing a Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) of €1.24 billion for the period January to May 2025.

The data continues to illustrate a marked shift in consumer behaviour, with online gambling channels now firmly dominating the market. Of the total GGR, over €528 million was generated from online operators, compared to €456 million from land-based betting shops. This hyper divergence highlights the increasing preference of Greek consumers for digital platforms, particularly in sports betting and online casino gaming.

The EEEP emphasises that the creation of the task force is essential to counter growing concerns over the black market. Unlicensed operators are believed to be exploiting online channels to evade tax obligations and undercut licensed providers.

These trends, the Commission warns, pose a direct threat to state revenues and the integrity of the regulated market. Launching the task force and reinforcing its data capabilities, the EEEP aims to restore public trust, protect consumers, and ensure that gambling tax contributions from licensed operators remain robust.

Read more

California hones in on sweepstakes as Senate passes ban

iGamingExpert0176 views

All eyes were on California yesterday, as legislation seeking to prohibit sweepstakes progressed to the Golden State’s Senate Appropriations Committee.

Bill AB831 was unanimously passed by the Senate Committee on Public Safety, mounting pressure on the sweepstakes sector.

Making the case against sweepstakes, San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson emphasised that he believes there is a threat from sweepstakes towards the younger generation.

“In today’s digital age, increased access to online gambling and virtual betting, coupled with the lack of strong age verification safeguards, puts our youth at serious risk of developing crippling gambling addiction,” testified Anderson.

“Legal gaming operators such as the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation comply with the numerous laws and regulations that are designed to ensure consumer protections and confidence and confidence in the gaming market.”

Anderson also shot down suggestions from ACLU Action California, as the group lobbied against the legislation. The County District Attorney dismissed claims that the legislation is looking to take aim at players, stating that “it is not interested in that.”

He continued: “We’re not seeking to penalise the player. Provisions in this bill are only intended to penalise the companies, often offshore, which are the source of this illegal gambling, who are operating these dual currency model games illegally in the state.”

The ACLU joined the SPGA and SBLA in leading the charge against the bill.

The SPGA said it “is proud to stand alongside the ACLU, the Association of National Advertisers and other partners in voicing concerns about AB 831.

“This diverse coalition, including civil liberties advocates, leading businesses and industry groups, reflects a shared belief that the bill, as written, could have unintended consequences for lawful promotional practices without offering clear consumer protections.”

The SGLA has also underpinned its belief that the consequences of a far-reaching ban would have significant consequences. The group stated it would stifle innovation and undermine lawful business models, and reduce customer access.

Bill sponsor Assemblyman Avelino Valencia also provided further details on where the bill will focus its action. Valencia detailed plans to amend the bill to ensure “things like payment processors, financial institutions, geolocation providers, media affiliates and also individuals” wouldn’t feel the wrath of the bill.

Read more

Woman who included children in suit against DraftKings reaches settlement

SBC Americas0171 views

The woman who included her two children in a lawsuit filed in New Jersey against DraftKings for allegedly violating state consumer law has settled the case out of court.

According to court documents filed in Essex County Superior Court, Lisa D’Alessandro and her two minor children have amicably resolved their legal dispute with DraftKings, dismissing all claims against the operator. The suit was dismissed with prejudice putting an end to the legal issue between D’Alessandro and DraftKings that began in 2024.

This is the second settlement in the span of a week for attorney Matthew Litt, who represented D’Alessandro in addition to another client who sued DraftKings over its alleged VIP practices.

Husband’s gambling sparks lawsuit

Last December, D’Alessandro filed the lawsuit against DraftKings for allegedly breaching the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act for allowing her husband to lose more than $940,000 while wagering with the operator despite her spouse having a gambling problem.

D’A..

Read more

NCPG granted restraining order to keep 1-800-GAMBLER online

SBC Americas0182 views

Conflict between the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) and the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) could put the national 1-800-GAMBLER helpline in peril.

The NCPG has been granted a temporary restraining order to keep the national portion of the hotline online in the meantime.

NCPG in dispute with NJ problem gambling group

While NCPG operates and maintains 1-800-GAMBLER, the group actually licenses the number from the CCGNJ.

In a lawsuit filed in Mercer County Superior Court in New Jersey, NCPG summed up the situation regarding ownership of the number:

“As part of its operation of 800-GAMBLER, CCGNJ has obtained a registered trademark for the number itself and has a license that allows it to control the routing of calls that are made to that specific phone number.”

In June 2022, the NCPG entered into an agreement with CCGNJ to license the number for national use outside of New Jersey at a rate of $150,000 a year. That three-year agreement technically ..

Read more

Dutch regulator fines three companies over illegal offerings

Steve Hoare0188 views

The Netherlands Gambling Authority, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) is closely monitoring betting companies for illegal offerings as the country doubles down on player safety.

It has this week imposed a fine on three different entities; SBM Holding Group, Sun Block Media Labs 2.0 Ltd, and JEF Holdings Ltd, each for illegal online gambling. All breaches also included advertisements that were published on the affiliate website Casinoscout.nl.

What’s wrong with Casinoscout.nl?
Although the site initially promoted only licensed gambling operators, this changed earlier in the year when ownership of the site transferred to a new party.

Following the acquisition, the website began featuring content that promoted illegal gambling operators. The KSA made it clear that both offering illegal gambling services and advertising them is a violation.

After detecting the illegal promotions, the KSA issued warnings to the new owners, advising them to cease activity or face penalties. When the owners failed to respond, the KSA escalated the matter by contacting the Netherlands Internet Domain Registration Foundation (SIDN) to suspend the website.

This led to a temporary shutdown of Casinoscout.nl, and the owner briefly installed an IP block to restrict access from the Netherlands. However, illegal advertisements later reappeared, prompting the KSA to order a permanent site shutdown.

During its investigation, the KSA also discovered that Casinoscout.nl linked to another site, besteonlinecasinonederland.com, which was also found to be promoting illegal gambling. This second site is operated by the same group of owners.

Since the violations are ongoing, the KSA has now imposed a formal penalty order on all three companies. If they continue to advertise illegal casinos, each will face fines of €75,000 per week, up to a maximum of €225,000.

Prioritising local safeguarding
In continuing its crackdown on player protection, the KSA has also contacted ZEbetting and Betca regarding prohibited betting offers during tennis matches. Both providers were found to have offered wagers on winning or losing a set.

The KSA explained: “To prevent match-fixing and protect the integrity of the sport, Dutch gambling legislation prohibits betting on certain matches and events.

“These include events that are negative or easily manipulated. These events also include winning and losing specific sets in tennis matches. Therefore, bets on these events are prohibited.”

These warnings come less than three months after the regulator issued a €734,000 fine over a player protection breach involving young adults.

An investigation focused on 10 customer accounts, all belonging to players aged 18 to 23.

Each account showed clear breaches of responsible gambling standards, with some individuals losing “tens of thousands of euros”, and in certain cases, within a very short period.

By allowing such high losses without adequate intervention, the KSA asserted that the operator neglected its responsibility to protect vulnerable users, particularly those in the younger age group.

Read more