The Dutch gaming regulator, Kansspelautoriteit, have issued a record fine of €200,000 to Imperial E-Club for what they believe to be violations of their current online gambling laws.
Dutch gaming regulator Kansspelautoriteit have set the cat amongst the pigeons after doling out a €200,000 fine to the online gambling operator Imperial E-Club. The fine was served in February, however, an unsuccessful legal fight ensued thus preventing the details from being made public until this week. Imperial E-Club is the parent company of a host of subsidiaries including Europa Casino, Vegas Red, Titan Poker, Titan Casino, Titan Bet, Casino Bellini and Casino Tropez.
The fine was served after Kansspelautoriteit decreed that Imperial had broken the law by offering games of chance to Dutch players without a license. It’s believed that Kansspelautorteit had the subsidiary Europa Casino under the microscope between Jun 2012 and Oct 2013 where it became clear they were offering their games to Dutch residents. The website was also available in Dutch, as were six more of Imperial’s subsidiaries.
The Kansspelautorteit stated on its website that the fine was so large was because of the innumerable number of websites that were targeting Dutch players, coupled with the large number of games on offer, and the level of pricing. Curacao-based Global Stars was fined €100,000 for unauthorized Dutch operations in 2013, Mansion and ONISAC Ltd. received fines of €150,000 in the spring, and only two months ago 7red.com and RoyaalCasino.com were also issued €130,000 in fines. Although Imperial may be feeling sorry for themselves things could have been worse. Kansspelautorteit are able to issue fines up to €700,000.
A few days ago, the UK bookie William Hill notified their marketing partners, and affiliates, to cease working on behalf of them in the Dutch market. It’s believed that violators of the current regulations may find it difficult to obtain a license when the new laws are eventually passed sometime in 2015. That’s not great news for the likes of Imperial, who may have seen their license eaten by the proverbial dog.
International operators have been asked to submit their interest in obtaining a Dutch online gambling license to the Kansspelautoriteit.
