The Dutch regulatory authority, known as Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), recently carried out a decisive action against an organization found to be conducting illegal bingo events. KSA has had this entity on its radar for some time, as it had previously hosted gatherings that attracted sizable crowds, including minors. These illegal operations put vulnerable groups at risk and undermine the regulated gaming environment.
Upon a thorough investigation by KSA, the ‘Dordtse Queens’ were found to be actively promoting their bingo games through Facebook, raising alerts for illegal gambling activities. Following this discovery, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, responded to KSA’s concerns by taking down the pages associated with the illicit bingo offering.
Yet, the organization in question proved persistent in its unlawful activities. KSA’s further probing unveiled that the same group continued to both promote and hold illicit bingo sessions through alternative Facebook pages, eluding initial attempts to curb their operations.
The vigilant inspectors at KSA managed to ascertain the location of an upcoming in-person bingo event planned in Dordrecht. In a raid at the named premises, enforcement officers came upon approximately 200 individuals who were present for the illegal gathering. Attendees were lured with the promise of premium prizes such as designer wear, bags, and footwear—all of which were seized during the enforcement action by the KSA.
Dutch legislation is clear on the subject of bingo: it is permissible only within stringent guidelines. These stipulate that games must occur within a closed circle comprising individuals who share a common bond, like family members or company colleagues. Additionally, associations can host these games for philanthropic purposes, with the condition that the prizes awarded must not surpass a value of €1,550. Moreover, such games necessitate obtaining a specific permit from local municipal authorities.
The KSA highlighted a concerning lack of public awareness regarding the regulations governing bingos and lotteries. Participation in illegal bingo events is punishable by Dutch law, with minors explicitly prohibited from partaking. Furthermore, organizers who flout these laws by running illegal lotteries and bingo games face significant fines.
This recent intervention by KSA underscores the organization’s ongoing commitment to eradicating illegal gambling activities within the Netherlands. In a similar vein, KSA’s enforcement measures in the past month resulted in a hefty fine of €900,000 being imposed on MKC Limited, which had been unlawfully offering gambling services to Dutch citizens via its unlicensed Betworld247 website.
MKC Limited allowed players from the Netherlands to register and play online, with no technical barriers, such as IP blocking, to prevent their participation. This flagrant breach of the Dutch Betting and Gaming Act meant that MKC was operating without a requisite local license. Such a violation comes with severe repercussions, as evidenced by MKC not only facing a significant fine but also being stripped of its Maltese license earlier this year.
These instances are testament to the rigorous efforts of KSA in maintaining the integrity of gambling practices in the Netherlands. They serve as a warning to those contemplating the running or participation in illegal gambling activities that such actions will be met with the full force of the law. The regulatory body remains steadfast in its mission to safeguard Dutch society from the adverse impacts of unregulated gambling and to uphold the law.
