Dutch Regulators Force Influencers to Remove Illegal Gambling Ads

KSA Takes Action Against Influencers

The Netherlands’ Gambling Authority, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has recently forced the removal of a YouTube video featuring two Dutch influencers.

The influencers were found promoting an illegal gambling website, which is a direct violation of the KSA’s regulations. Despite their efforts to blur out the visual aspects of the promotion, the audio still contained endorsements of the site, prompting the KSA to step in.

In their initial response to the KSA’s concerns, the influencers edited the video by obscuring the images of the illegal gambling site. However, the failure to remove the positive audio discussions of the site led to a second warning from the regulator.

This time, the influencers were instructed to fully remove the video from YouTube, and they complied. The KSA has warned that further violations could result in financial penalties.

Increasing Pressure on Illegal Gambling Promotions

The KSA has recently increased its efforts to combat illegal gambling promotions, a trend that has seen a significant rise in regulatory actions over the past months.

One notable example is the demand for Formula One to remove branding from Stake.com, an unlicensed operator, ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix.

The KSA has also issued a broader reminder to media outlets regarding their responsibilities. Any unintentional promotion of unlicensed gambling platforms can result in sanctions, and it is the duty of media companies to verify that the services they advertise are compliant with Dutch regulations.

This places a significant onus on the media to ensure full regulatory compliance when it comes to advertising gambling products.