KSA files seven warnings against youth non-targeted ads

Seven new cases of advertising violations have kept the Dutch gambling regulator busy in the first weeks of the new year. 

Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) reported that the issued violations were in relation to marketing campaigns that had the potential to influence young people – a target group the KSA closely guards due to a higher risk of problem gambling among its members, with an updated young people protections framework coming into force in 2025.

One of the cases was a result of a cooperation between an unnamed operator and a partner organisation, both of them involved in the organisation of a certain motorsport event. 

A car that was part of the event had the gambling provider’s logo on it. However, it was not removed once the event was over, and the car was seen together with the logo on public roads, according to a KSA investigation. This constituted a form of non-targeted advertising. 

In another case, the logo of a land-based gaming venue was digitally advertised on screens in a public gym – another place frequently visited by young people. After receiving a signal, a warning by the KSA then followed which was later adhered to by the parties involved.

A third instance saw an igaming provider using an actor, as well as cartoon characters on its website. Under KSA’s understanding, actors are classified as role models that can influence the youth, while cartoon characters can influence the youngest of demographics.

There was an attempt to make the use of a role model more subtle elsewhere, according to the KSA, with a number of providers showcasing their sports betting product in time for Formula 1.

According to the regulator, the promotional material included indirect references to F1 driver Max Verstappen. While no images of Verstappen were used, the KSA argues that his name has been referred to with various puns and other visual elements – leaving the impression of some sort of an endorsement. 

All warnings have been handed out to the relevant parties and complied with accordingly, the KSA additionally assured.