SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Netherlands’ gambling regulator, is not letting up in its campaign against advertisement of illegal products, slapping Red Ridge Marketing with a €675,000 fine.
According to the gambling authority, ‘various’ Red Ridge websites featured ‘careless and misleading statements’ about unlicensed online casino firms, such as the ‘advantages’ these illegal sites offer young people.
Unlimited playing and betting was also promoted, in stark contrast to KSA social responsibility requirements, and ‘negative statements’ about the CRUKS self-exclusion register were also shown. 
KSA Chair Rene Jansen said: ‘Promoters of illegal games or chance providers also receive our attention. They must also comply with the law, especially when it comes to protecting young adults. We will do everything we can to stop these practices.’
Additionally, the KSA also found that Red Ridge Marketing had claimed that online casinos operating without a Dutch licence were still safe to play due to being regulated in other countries.
The affiliate marketer had previously been issued a cease and desist order by the KSA, which was not followed. The regulator noted that the firm has yet to respond to the new enforcement action.
This marks the second KSA fine this month, after a €400,000 charge was issued to Hillside New Media, a Malta-based operating company of Stoke-on-Trent-headquartered bet365, also for advertising infractions.
Hillside was found to have ‘directed advertisements and bonuses’ to young adults aged between 18 and 24 who held accounts with the firm between 26 October 2021 to 1 February 2022.
In the 17 months since the regulation of the Dutch online betting and gaming market in October 2021 under the Remote Gaming Act (KOA Act), there have been rising public and political concerns in the Netherlands about a perceived increase in advertising.
The KSA has both launched an enforcement campaign against advertising of ‘illegal games of chance’ – ending 2022 issuing fines against five different operators for this – and cautioned licensed firms about their own marketing activities.
With national legislators, spearheaded by Justice Minister Franc Weerwind, pushing for major restrictions on advertising just 17 months after the sector’s launch, the KSA has urged operators to keep their marketing activities in check.
