The Netherlands’ gambling regulator has said companies which it says together offer unlicensed online gaming on four websites could face a penalty payment of €840,000 if they do not stop providing its services to players.
Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) said Techno Offshore and Novatech Solutions are offering illegal gaming services via Simple Casino, No Limit Bet, Qbet and 55Bet.
The KSA said it was able to create an account purporting to be a real player and “immediately” play online gaming content on the sites operated by Techno Offshore.
During a follow-up probe, all email addresses and account names that could be traced back to the KSA were blocked, but other names and email addresses from the Netherlands were not.
“The KSA is taking this very seriously, because providers are clearly showing that they want to circumvent enforcement by the KSA,” it said.
After KSA inspectors could access Novatech website Qbet, access was then blocked. However, the investigators were then able to access 55bet, the other Novatech brand in question.
“Illegal providers operate in a sophisticated manner. We see providers without a KSA license who really do their best to keep Dutch players out, but also many parties who don't seem to care,” said KSA chairman Michel Groothuizen.
“For example, we see that an offer is often stopped after inspection by the KSA but is continued just as vigorously on another website of the same provider.
“We therefore take a hard line with these types of parties that deliberately violate the rule. With an order subject to penalty payments, we put a stop to the offer as soon as possible, but afterwards we can just as easily impose a hefty fine for the same violation.”
The regulator said it will impose a penalty payment of €280,000 for every week the providers do not comply, up to a maximum of €840,000.
Techno Offshore brand Simple Casino says on its website that it has a licence from the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. Techno Offshore’s company address is in the British Virgin Islands.
Qbet’s website says it holds a licence from E-Gambling Montenegro, issued by the country in Southeast Europe.
55Bet says it is licensed by the Curaçao Gaming Control Board.
