Dutch gambling authority issues €600,000 illegal gambling fine

Netherland’s gambling authority the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) fines Curacao-licensed operator Virtual Coin Gaming for €600,000 over illegal gambling initiatives?

Virtual Coin Gaming was caught offering illegal online games of chance to Dutch customers specifically via online sites: www.futgalaxy.nl and nl.futgamer.com.

It appears as though minors were participating in these games which, undoubtedly, was a gross violation of the jurisdictions regulation. Games were also referencing the card game Fifa Ultimate Team which is banned in the Netherlands.

The KSA are granted to take action on cases where Dutch customers are targeted directly. In the case of Virtual Coin Gaming, Dutch payments were accepted, content was offered in Dutch, and the website extension dot.nl was utilised.

Moreover, online gaming is currently banned in the Netherlands. As the law stands, it is impossible for operators to seek an online licence. This, however, will change once the Remote Gambling Act comes into effect in 2021, and licences will become accessible whilst under strict conditions.

The specific date for the jurisdiction’s online gaming regulation is forecasted for 1 March, and on 1 September for the market, after suffering delays due to COVID-19.

The news comes after the KSA ramps up efforts to address problem gambling. They had also partnered with global platform Facebook recently in bid to fight illegal gambling in the Netherlands.

Source: iGaming Business?

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