The Netherlands.- The Dutch gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has advanced in its clampdown on influencers who promote unlicensed gambling online

10/02/25

Three influencers have been warned that they will face fines if they do not remove content promoting unlicensed gambling.

The Netherlands.- The Dutch gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has advanced in its clampdown on influencers who promote unlicensed gambling online. The regulator has announced penalties against three such influences after previously pledging to take tougher action on the matter.

The three influencers hit with penalties are Stiefunspeelt, Turcos, and Buurtwachtt. The KSA said that they were found to have posted videos on their social media platforms featuring gambling with illegal providers. They also actively promoted gambling by encouraging their followers to also gamble with these illegal providers, it said.

The regulator said it had explicitly reminded all three influencers that creating videos promoting illegal gambling is prohibited. It’s now demanded that they remove existing content within 48 hours and avoid posting new advertisements for illegal providers. It said that if the influencers fail to comply with this order, they will receive a penalty of €25,000 per violation, with a maximum of €75,000.

The regulator said it is concerned that social media influencers often appeal to a young and vulnerable target group. It said it will continue to closely monitor these types of violations. It stressed that it is in contact with the tech platforms involved so that if the influencers do not respond to requests to remove content, the platforms themselves will be notified to remove the content as quickly as possible.

KSA probe into player control

Meamwhile, the KSA has announced that it will launch an investigation into “negative forms of behavioural control” used to influence gamblers. It says the results of the study will be used to improve the duty of care by online providers and may lead to stricter guidelines.

The move comes after it commissioned the research agency Behavioural Insights to conduct an initial study into influencing behaviour on online gambling platforms. The KSA said that research showed that online gambling providers, like other companies, use behavioural influencing to steer consumer behaviour. It says this happens in both positive and negative ways.

Positive examples include providers giving players feedback on their gaming behaviour and offer them the opportunity to take a break, the regulator said. However, the research also shows that gambling behaviour is influenced in negative ways, for example by making it easy for new players to bet high. The regulator believes these forms of control are dangerous for players who have an addiction and who are thus conditioned to play more.

https://focusgn.com/dutch-gambling-regulator-warns-of-penalties-against-three-gambling-influences