KSA chairman Michel Groothuizen called for a co-ordinated European response to illegal gambling, saying the Netherlands cannot tackle cross-border operators alone. He said half of every euro gambled by Dutch consumers goes to the illegal market, costing more than €500m a year in potential tax income.
The KSA is seeking broader European co-operation to address illegal operators beyond the reach of national action.
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The Netherlands' KSA has not ruled out legal action against Google and Meta over illegal gambling advertising. KSA board chairman Michel Groothuizen discussed efforts against illegal gambling five years after the regulated online market opened.
The Kansspelautoriteit said it had opened action against gaming venues and casinos identified in a television investigation in the Netherlands. The report found that people registered with Cruks could enter using another person’s identity document; the KSA said venues must check identities carefully.
Lawyer Justin Franssen, a partner at Franssen Tolboom Attorneys at Law, accused the KSA of leaving existing enforcement powers unused against platforms carrying illegal gambling ads in the Netherlands. VNLOK chairman Björn Fuchs said the association's lawsuit seeks to compel Meta to fulfil its obligations under the EU Digital Services Act.
Lawyer Justin Franssen, a partner at Franssen Tolboom Attorneys at Law, said the KSA has the legal powers to act against Meta and other platforms that carry illegal gambling advertisements but does not use them. He made the accusation at the SBC Summit on Wednesday, according to a report of the panel. The Dutch online gambling trade association VNLOK has sued Meta, and its chairman, Björn Fuchs, set out what the association expects from the case.
Dutch lawmakers urged the government to speed up blocking of unlicensed gambling sites. Justice State Secretary Claudia van Bruggen said the cabinet was preparing legislation to introduce DNS blocking, with public consultation expected in early 2027.
The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) says it continues to impose fines on illegal gambling sites because administrative procedures must be completed before cases can potentially go to the Public Prosecution Service. A spokesperson made the statement after a record €37.25 million fine against EOD Code SRL, according to the report.
The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) is continuing to impose fines on illegal gambling sites because all administrative-law steps must be completed before a case can potentially go to the Public Prosecution Service, a spokesperson said. The spokesperson's statement followed a record €37.25m fine against EOD Code SRL.