Dutch Gaming Regulator Fines ComeOn Europe Ltd €180,000
Dutch gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) recently fined online gaming operator ComeOn Europe Ltd €180,000 for targeting the country's consumers without a license.
The KSA deemed that the ComeOn.com website was targeting potential gamblers in the Netherlands since the site not only contained the country's flag, but also offered a live chat service in Dutch. The fine should not be shocking to ComeOn Europe Ltd since it is reported that the company was previously warned many times by the KSA to change its site in compliance with current Dutch regulations, and failed to do so despite promises to make the requested changes.
Additionally, KSA is researching whether to move charges against the eight directors of ComeOn Europe Ltd in addition to the fine already levied to the company.
ComeOn Europe Ltd is just the latest company running into trouble with the KSA. Last month, the KSA announced a record fine of €200,000 to Imperial E-Club Limited, the company that operates sites such as TitanPoker, TitanBet, VegasRed, Europa Casino, Casino Tropez and Casino Bellini
At the time, the KSA announced the reasons of the record fine. "This penalty is the highest fine that the Gaming Authority has ever imposed on an individual company to date. The reason is mainly based on the large number of websites that Imperial E-Club Limited offered and the large number of gambling games that could be played on such sites."
While the KSA is busy warning and fining companies that are not in compliance with local law, the regulatory authority is also gearing up for the anticipated gaming regulation in the country. Even though the new gaming regime is yet to be passed, earlier in the week, the KSA signed a letter of intent in the hope of forming a working relationship with the Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC).
The KSA and AGCC are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding once a new gaming regime is passed in the Netherlands.
KSA Chief Executive Officer Marja Appelman believes it is necessary for the Dutch gaming regulator to partner with a reputable gaming commission when stating, "Alderney is widely experienced and respected in the field of online gambling and although we still regulate only land-based bricks and mortar casinos, arcades, sports betting and lotteries in the Netherlands, the special skills required for regulating online gambling are something we can learn from Alderney."
Executive Director of the AGCC Andre Wilsenach also seems pleased to provide assistance to the Netherlands and other countries that have either recently passed new gaming regulations or are expected to do so.
According to the LowTax Network, Wilsenach stated, "Alderney is very pleased to provide whatever assistance it can to countries such as the Netherlands and indeed has provided help to many jurisdictions such as the UK, Denmark, and others. Through providing assistance, we build strong relationships with other regulators and this leads to extensive levels of inter co-operation which strengthens our oversight of the industry. This agreement will facilitate information exchange and mutual assistance with licensing and will create a pathway for gambling services provided from Alderney to be available in the future Dutch market. Alderney has signed many such agreements over the past few years. We see this as being of enormous benefit to all participating jurisdictions, not least Alderney operators who will gain access to these important markets, which in turn will benefit Alderney and Guernsey."
The KSA also announced something similar also in November 2014 a bilateral agreement with Malta's Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LGA), which Appelman stated at the time was "an important step towards the development and sharing of common regulatory best practice."
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