Dutch regulator launches new investigation into illegal websites
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The Netherlands' gaming authority, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has announced it is starting a new round of action against illegal websites.
In its latest investigation, the KSA will continue to target websites or affiliates that promote illegal online games of chance.
With the launch of the legal online gambling market set to take place in October, the KSA says it is alert to illegal providers and advertisers “who want to make a quick move."
The gaming authority says it periodically researches affiliate marketing for online gambling and looks out for those advertising games of chance on websites.
In the last round, the authority found 44 websites through observations and external reports; the KSA then immediately sanctioned all sites.
While in January, the regulator issued a €600,000 ($729,942) fine to a licensed operator which was offering gambling products to customers in the Netherlands.
The KSA reinstates that offering online games of chance and even promoting them is forbidden under the current legislation.
However, with the Remote Gambling Act (Koa) coming into effect on April 1 and the online gambling market launching in October, it will be legal to offer and promote online games in the Netherlands.
But operators wishing to take advantage of the new market would still need to apply for a licence, without one operators are still prohibited from offering and advertising games.
