Dutch gambling authority Kansspelautoriteit has increased its illegal online gambling penalties, with starting fines of €200,000 – up from €150,000.
The move comes in the wake of the Netherlands House of Representatives approving the country’s Remote Gaming Act and clearing the way for licensed online gaming.
The new level of fine could be increased, dependent on the number of illegal websites and games and the amount of the prizes and bonuses that are being offered.
The new minimum penalties come into force today.
The KSA issued a record €1.7m in fines during 2018, sanctioning Bet-At-Home, Corona, Mr Green, CyberRock/Honeydew and WHG International.
René Jansen, chairman of the KSA board of directors, said: “The fines we used were not deterrent enough. The First Chamber has recently adopted the Bill of Chance Games, which makes it possible to apply for a license in time to offer games of chance via the Internet.
“Illegal games of chance continue to fight the KSA firmly, now and immediately. The intention of the law is to create an attractive legal online game of chance, which makes it possible for consumers to play safely on a fair market. There is no place for illegal providers. That is why we intend to thoroughly revise our penalty policy for the future. Updating the penalty policy now is only a first step.”
