Integrity leaps as visibility drops for Starcasino.nl

Starcasino has been added to the roster of operators under the patronage of the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA).

As part of the development, the operator will be able to fully commit to protecting the integrity of its sportsbook after recently rolling it out in the Netherlands through the Alternar platform, which is also an IBIA member.

Both companies first partnered for Starcasino’s Dutch launch earlier in June, in an effort to replicate the success they reaped from a similar joint venture in Belgium.

Kylian Olierook, Director of Starcasino Netherlands, commented: “Starcasino.nl has joined the International Betting Integrity Association as part of our ongoing effort to support fair and honest sports betting. 

“Together with our sportsbook partner Altenar, we want to help protect sports from manipulation and ensure a safe experience for our players. By working with IBIA, we take an active role in monitoring and reporting suspicious betting activity.”

Khalid Ali, CEO of the IBIA, reiterated Olierook’s statement, highlighting the duo’s joint objective of reinforcing the integrity of sports within the Netherlands. 

“Membership of IBIA highlights Starcasino’s dedication to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and transparency in the regulated sports betting industry,” he added.

While market share in the Netherlands is ripe for the taking due to a blooming liberalised regime, Starcasino enters at a particularly tricky time when it could prove initially challenging to grow an audience as a newcomer.

As of today, 1 July, Dutch sports clubs are no longer allowed to accept sponsorships from gambling companies, significantly reducing the visibility of gambling brands among an otherwise growing sports fanbase.

The ban covers all forms of gambling-related sponsorships, including team jersey, training gear, brand ambassador deals, league and venue naming rights, as well as stadium ads.

Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Dutch gambling regulator, has cautioned that it will be keeping a close eye on the ban’s enforcement, and has warned of severe regulatory action against those infringing it.

The potential effects the ban will have on the local sports sector’s economy are yet to be seen, as is whether a repeat of the Belgium scenario will take place.

In the Netherlands’ neighbour, a similar ban was imposed but gambling companies were still landing sponsorships through intermediaries like the Ladbrokes Foundation for one.