Date: 23.10.2024

by Adam Dworak

Dutch Regulator Takes Action Against Winbet for Unlicensed Online Gambling

The Netherlands’ gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has issued a penalty warning to Winbet for offering unlicensed online gambling services in the country. The operator could face fines of up to €840,000 if it does not cease its illegal activities.

KSA’s Investigation into Winbet

The KSA conducted an investigation into Winbet’s operations, finding that the company had been offering online games of chance through four websites—Galaxyspins.com, Winnercasino1.bet, Superb1.bet, and Doctorspins.com.

None of these sites have the required licenses to operate in the Netherlands, making them illegal under Dutch gambling regulations.

Investigators were able to create accounts, make deposits, and play games on these platforms, confirming that no measures were in place to prevent Dutch players from accessing the sites.

This lack of restriction is a direct violation of the country’s regulated gambling market rules.

Penalties and Cease-and-Desist Orders

In response to the findings, KSA has issued a cease-and-desist order to Winbet, instructing the operator to halt all illegal gambling activities in the country.

Should Winbet fail to comply, it will face escalating financial penalties.

The regulator has set a weekly penalty of €280,000, which will accumulate each week until the maximum fine of €840,000 is reached.

KSA emphasized the importance of maintaining a regulated gambling market in the Netherlands to better protect players:

“We are therefore taking tough action against illegal supply,” the regulator stated, adding that financial penalties often prompt operators to stop their activities quickly.

Winbet Follows BlokDance in Facing KSA Enforcement

Winbet is not the first operator to face KSA’s scrutiny this month.

Recently, the regulator also took action against BlokDance for operating illegal games of chance on two websites, bc.game and bcgame.lu.

While BlokDance initially blocked Dutch players from accessing these sites, KSA found that the restrictions were insufficient, leading to similar penalties being imposed.

Both operators now face significant financial consequences if they do not adhere to the cease-and-desist orders, with weekly penalties of €280,000 potentially leading to total fines of €840,000.