The Netherlands gambling regulator will be spending much of its time on the internet during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, monitoring all online gambling operators’ marketing and advertising practices.
On Monday, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) announced that it will be keeping a close watch on gambling activities before and during the World Cup to ensure that online gambling operators aren’t luring minors to gamble.
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 Dutch regulator has launched a public helpline where anyone can fink an online sportsbooks that allow minors to gamble.
“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.
Gambling regulators are launching crackdowns on crime syndicates that use online platforms to place bets. Authorities noted that many unlicensed bookmakers have switched to using online and mobile platforms since these offer a wider range of betting options and often fly under the authorities’ radar.
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.
