SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
BetOnline operator Blue High House has been penalised by the Dutch Gambling Authority (DGA), the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) for operating without a licence.
The firm has been issued ‘an order subject to a penalty’, essentially meaning a cease and desist order from offering games of chance. Otherwise, it will be subject to a penalty of €43,000 per week, with a maximum of €129,000.
KSA investigators were able to access the site on the 7, 9 and 10 December 2021 and on 11 January 2022, finding that they were able to create an account, make a deposit and participate in games of chance despite the group being declined in the Netherlands.
The authority also noted that no technical measures were put in place at BetOnline to prevent Dutch customers from accessing the platform.
Upon checking again on 9 August, the KSA found that no changes had been made and a letter was sent to Blue High House, but the firm declined an opportunity to respond, according to the regulator.
“The KSA makes its choices to investigate illegal providers based, among other things, on the estimated number of Dutch visitors,” the regulator noted.
“Blue High House emerged in those data as a party that attracts a large number of players. The investigation subsequently showed that the provider offers illegal games of chance on several websites aimed at the Netherlands, among others.
“The KSA will actively recheck whether the offer is and will continue; When a violation is identified, a sanction (for example a fine) is imposed.”
Enforcement action against Blue High House follows a fine levied against LCS Limited for providing online slots in the Netherlands without a licence. However, LCS has criticised the KSA’s actions and states that it will ‘aggressively appeal’ the sanction.
