Dutch regulator hits out at 13 firms over “structural conditions” applied to payouts
Netherlands Gambling Authority confirms nine operators breached regulations with a further four suspected of preventing smooth processes for customers
The Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) has issued warnings to nine online operators for applying “unauthorised conditions” relating to customer payouts.
The Dutch regulator has also revealed it suspects a further four operators to be applying conditions, meaning 50% of the licensed Dutch market could be implicated in the breach.
The nine initial operators have received letters from the regulator, with the KSA requiring a written reply confirming the termination of the practice.
The four suspected operators have also been contacted and will likewise be obliged to reply to the regulator in writing.
The regulator said it had received notice that some operators were not complying with existing regulations which state players must be paid out immediately.
The KSA stated: “[Operators] may not impose structural conditions that prevent direct payment. Player credits must therefore be refunded without unnecessary delay.”
The regulator confirmed it reinformed operators of licence requirements in March after receiving reports over payout processes being hampered.
The KSA website details “structural conditions” for the payout process which include a minimum payout, playthrough requirements or applying charges for sanctioning payouts.
The KSA declined to reveal the identity of the 13 operators implicated.
Last month, the KSA’s new chair, Michel Groothuizen, explained his irritation at the lack of progress the regulator was able to make in shutting down illegal sites.
Penning his first blog post since taking on the role, the former MP lamented the KSA’s lack of authority to close unlicensed sites and its reliance on cloud service providers to support its aims.