The Netherlands Move Closer to Legal iGaming

21.04.2019, 13:23

The Dutch gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) is now one step closer to fully legalizing iGaming. Right now, gaming in online casinos is legal, but is heavily regulated and does not provide clear outlines for the iGaming operators to follow, which results in huge penalties and fines, something for which KSA is infamous for.

The first step towards proper legalization was taken by the regulator, which spoke to operators, businesses and health experts from abroad and in major cities of the country.

Details on new regulations have been vague so far. However, it is likely that already legal online slots, table games and poker would remain legal, with more operators that would be allowed to move in.

Nevertheless, the most topical question for the industry players is the “bad actor” rule. At the moment, it is not defined by the KSA and results in frequent and sizeable fines. For example, just in 2019 the regulator has fined Casumo and Casino.org for $450,000.

The main problem with the rule is its own definition: it is designed to penalize the operators that do not have a proper license for the Netherlands. However, no such license can be obtained, or at least properly withheld, as iGaming is not fully regulated in the country.

It remains to be seen how the Dutch regulator will impose clearer regulation and retain the businesses within the country. The latter can prove to be especially challenging, seeing as iGaming is legalized much faster overseas, with Pennsylvania iGaming legalization being the most recent.

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