SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Netherlands’ gambling regulator, has imposed a fine on Bingoal Nederland BV for adverts aimed at young adults.
The authority has revealed a figure of €400,000 for the fine after Bingoal aimed its ads at audiences of ages 18-24 years, which is prohibited in the country.
Dutch laws around betting advertising state that marketing must be ‘targeted’ to consumers aged 24 and over due to those in younger age brackets being deemed as at greater risk of harm.
The KSA further explained: “That is not allowed, because young adults are a vulnerable target group. The brains of young people are still developing. As a result, they are extra susceptible to a gambling addiction.”
Article 2, Parage 4 of the Dutch Betting and Gaming Act (Bwrvk) sets out the rule that licensed operators should not be directing adverts and promotions at young adults.
This fine follows four previously handed out fines in the context of the same investigation. The KSA has fined a total of five providers of games of chance for advertising aimed at young people. The investigation is now complete.
The ads were reportedly in an email format, and in response, the operator admitted to sending the communications to the players in question, but denied they were targeted at the age group.
Instead, the company claimed they were sent out as part of ‘general advertising to all players’.
The KSA said €350,000 was for the actual breach, with the additional €50,000 in relation to how long Bingoal had not been complying with the law.
Last week, the KSA confirmed the appointment of Adriane Koppe and Monique van Oers as new independent chairs of the “Objections Advisory Committee’.
The decision saw KSA replace Hague-based lawyer Mrs JME Feije’s management of its objections and complaint procedures.
Advertising has become a major focal point in the debate around betting and gaming in the Netherlands since the re-regulation of the market last year, with stricter restrictions due to come into force on 1 July 2023.
