Blue High House has become the latest group to fall foul of the Dutch gambling authority, with the Kansspelautoriteit issuing an order subject to a penalty for operating in the country without a licence.
The board of directors have subsequently instructed the company to cease and desist from offering games of chance. In the event of non-compliance, a penalty of €43,000 per week, with a maximum of €129,000, will be imposed.
This stems from two Ksa supervisors accessing the group BetOnline brand on December 7, 9 and 10, 2021, as well as January 11, 2022. This indicated that it was possible to create a player account, make a deposit and participate in games of chance from the Netherlands.
In addition, it was indicated that no technical measures were in place to prevent participants from the country from accessing its offerings.
A re-check that was conducted on August 9, 2023, highlighted no change to availability. This came a little over one month after the regulator sent a letter to the company to highlight the impending action. Blue High House, the Ksa said, declined an opportunity to respond.
As a result of the order subject to penalty, the authority is calling on this illegal offer to be stopped immediately.
“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.”
Adding: “Offering online games of chance to players in the Netherlands is only allowed with a licence from the Ksa.
“There are strict rules and regulations that are aimed at ensuring a safe legal offer, where players are assured of a fair game and are protected against gambling addiction.”
In other recent news, LCS hit back at a €2.07m fine that was issued within the Netherlands, labelling the financial penalty as “unwarranted” and “unjustified” alongside an intention to appeal.
This followed a long protracted dispute that initially began in March 2022 when it was discovered players could access the group’s Son of Slots site
However, the company has suggested that the action taken by the Dutch gambling authority “demands our attention”, with the Ksa’s reaction described as “undeniably excessively punitive”.
