The KSA, or the Netherlands Gambling Authority, has imposed a fine of €1.2 million ($1.4 million) on Techno Offshore. The company, based in the British Virgin Islands, illegally offered online gambling services to Dutch customers.
The fine follows an investigation into the Nolimitbet and Simplecasino platforms. The KSA found that these platforms were still accessible to users in the Netherlands, despite previous enforcement warnings. Regulator states that Techno Offshore lacks a valid license to operate in the Dutch market, rendering its services unlawful.
In an official statement, KSA said that offering online gambling without a license for the Dutch market remains prohibited.
The regulator has outlined numerous compliance failures. This includes absence of age verification mechanisms, lack of enforced playing limits, as well as the use of cryptocurrency for customer deposits.
The investigation revealed that they did not block Dutch IP addresses. Users were able to select the Netherlands as their country of residence during registration. Further facilitating access for Netherlands-based players, the site would automatically fill the Dutch country code (+31). in the phone number field.
Techno Offshore holds a license from the Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission in Quebec province of Canada. However, the authorities have not authorized it to operate in the Netherlands.
Michel Groothuizen, KSA chairman, assumed the role in mid-2024. He repeated the need for tighter enforcement powers and legal reforms to fight illegal gambling.
Groothuizen said that licensed providers in the Netherlands must comply with various rules. They design these rules to protect players from gambling addiction. They will take stern action against these types of operators because they attract players to illegal websites. And consumers have insufficient levels of protection on these sites.
He also said that unlawful operators often neglect key safeguards. The KSA chairman pointed out several examples. These include not using age verification, enabling payments with crypto, and failing to enforce gaming limits.
