Kansspelautoriteit, the Dutch gaming authority, has ordered Formula 1 and the Sauber racing team not to advertise Stake during races at Zandvoort this week, including the Dutch Grand Prix, as the gambling provider is not licensed in the country.
The Sauber F1 team competes at most international races as ‘Stake F1 Team’ as the gambling provider is the team’s main sponsor. However, Stake doesn’t hold a KSA licence and therefore is not allowed to offer or advertise gambling in the Netherlands.
The KSA noted that legislation states that gambling can’t be offered, advertised or promoted by an operator in the Netherlands without a licence.
As such, operators without a licence must “take measures to prevent participation” in the Netherlands, such as applying geoblocking, to stop Dutch players from being able to reach their website.
Despite geoblocking measures taken by Stake, the KSA “still sees participation by Dutch players” and therefore finds it “undesirable that illegal gambling is advertised at a Dutch event with the reach and size of Formula 1, also because the event attracts a lot of attention among vulnerable groups (minors and young adults)”.
As a result, KSA’s board has urgently requested Sauber to not drive under the name Stake this weekend, as well as the Dutch Grand Prix organisers to not advertise the provider.
Previously, Sauber has removed its Stake sponsorship and has raced as Kick Sauber to comply with gambling regulations in certain countries.