Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Dutch gambling regulator, has revealed three recent cases of breaches of sports sponsorship by gambling operators.
In the first case, an organisation continued to use promotional material involving an operator following the expiry of their agreement.
Another case involved the sponsorship of a “major sporting event,” the KSA said, in which children and young adults played sports.
The third case saw t-shirts of a “famous athlete,” which sported the logo of an operator as the sponsor, sold in children’s sizes.
In each incident, the KSA cracked down on the rule, introduced in July this year, which states operators cannot target vulnerable groups such as minors and young adults.
“It is the responsibility of the gambling provider to adhere to these rules at all times, even if third parties are involved in the sponsorship,” the regulator said.
The operators, organisations and third parties in each case cooperated with the KSA’s warning.
“In these three cases, the KSA has once again explained the rules regarding sponsoring to the providers,” it said. “In the event of a subsequent violation, the KSA may take enforcement action.
“It is up to the provider to make clear agreements with external parties. This includes the use of sponsor materials, the time at which sponsor messages are shown and the way in which they are distributed.
“In addition, it is also up to the provider to ensure that external parties adhere to these agreements.”
