Dutch regulator takes action over illegal gambling activities

The KSA said that the offences took place in the run-up to the 2022 World Cup.

Two operators were warned for offering bets on the number of yellow cards in football matches. Dutch law prohibits betting on certain events in games as they are regarded as being sensitive to match-fixing.  

Another operator was issued a warning for violating a ban on using roles models to promote gambling. A number of well-known Dutch people featured in an ad that promoted an event, with the operator’s logo featured throughout the advert.

Dutch law states that the name or logo of a gambling business cannot be used in the same communication as the image, voice or name of a role model. After being contacted by the KSA over the breach, the operator withdrew the advert.

Elsewhere, another gambling operator was warned for offering an illegal game of chance with a top prize of €2.5m (£2.2m/€2.6m). Though the operator in question does hold a licence in the Netherlands, this permit did not cover the game of chance.

The KSA said the terms of the game have now been altered so that it is being offered in line with the operator’s licence conditions.

The regulator did not disclose the identity of any of the operators that breached the rules.