The Dutch gaming authority, de Kansspelautoriteit, (KSA) has fined Hillside New Media Malta PLC (bet365) a total of €400,000 after the company was found to have breached gambling advertising rules.
According to the KSA’s announcement, Hillside aired a TV advertisement directly after popular TV program, Kassa. This was a breach of the regulator’s strict advertising rules as the KSA deemed that the ad was directed towards young adults in the 18-24 year old bracket. This is strictly prohibited under the The Dutch Remote Gambling Act (KOA).
The infractions occurred from October 26th 2021 through February 1st, 2022. This marks the third occasion that an operator licensed in the Netherlands has been fined for targeting young adults with gambling ads and promotions.
Earlier this year, the KSA fined JOI Gaming (jacks.nl) for sending promotional emails to young adults. In November of 2022, Toto Online was also fined for emailing young adults offers that included free bonuses.
This brings the total fines for 2023 to more than €17.4 million while the KSA’s fines make up €7.8 million of that figure.
According to research by USA-Casino.com, gambling industry fines in 2022 came to €251,712,034 / $269,532,490 – a significant increase of 443.9% compared to 2021’s total of €44,753,969 / $48,642,992.
Gambling industry journalist with a background in online poker and trading. Covering the regulated U.S Sports industry and the exciting world of online poker.
