Under Dutch gambling law, minors aren’t permitted to participate in any games of chance such as betting on sports competition. Online sports betting operators that aren’t licensed in Netherlands may not offer games of chance to Dutch consumers.
The law only authorizes Toto, which is part of the Dutch Lottery, to offer bets on the results of sports competitions. Anticipating the surge of online bets placed during the World Cup, Kansspelautoriteit warned that unlicensed gambling operators who target Dutch national consumers will be slapped with a hefty fine.
Kansspelautoriteit is also moving to protect minors from underage gambling by targeting gambling advertisements.The Dutch regulator said they will be imposing fines against betting advertisers that violate the law.
“The Gaming Authority acts against illegal gambling providers because there is no control on the fairness of the game, the detection of gambling addiction and the participation of vulnerable groups, such as minors,” the Dutch regulator said in a statement.
Gaming regulators and local authorities across the globe have been bracing themselves for the spike in wagering activities during the World Cup.
Gaming analysts forecast that worldwide illegal betting this year may top the previous record during the 2014 World Cup held in Brazil due to the close proximity of Russia and its time zones with countries in the Asia region.
Source: GMB / Calvin Ayre
