Ksa Fines Betcity €2.65 Million for Failing to Protect Young Players
The Dutch gambling authority Kansspelautoriteit has imposed a €2.65 million fine on Betent, operator of Betcity. According to the regulator, the company did not sufficiently safeguard young adults from excessive gambling and potential addiction. The enforcement action follows an investigation focusing on players aged 18 to 23 who suffered significant financial losses.
Concerns Cver Rising Losses Among Young Adults
The Ksa opened a supervisory inquiry after receiving information about substantial losses among young users. The investigation reviewed ten player accounts with the highest losses. Each case involved young adults who lost tens of thousands of euros in relatively short periods.
Dutch gambling operators are required to monitor player behavior and intervene when harmful gambling patterns emerge. The Ksa concluded that Betcity failed to fulfil this legal duty of care toward vulnerable customers.
Official Statement
Michel Groothuizen, Chair of the Ksa Board, emphasized the regulator’s stance on operator responsibility. He stated:
“We have a permitted gambling market based on the idea that anyone who wants to gamble can do so safely. That is why operators have a duty of care to their players and must respond adequately to excessive play. Large losses are an important signal of this. We have intensified our supervision of the online duty of care and violations such as we identify here at Betcity will be tackled hard, because we really do not want to see operators fail as regards their duty of care, especially for vulnerable young players.”