KSA hits alleged BC.Game parent company with six-figure weekly fine
BlockDance, which the Dutch regulator claims runs BC.Game, despite the operator stating otherwise, could face an €840,000 penalty for operating without a licence
The Netherlands Gambling Authority (the KSA) has issued a €280,000 (£233,266) weekly penalty against BlockDance BV for operating in the market illegally.
The KSA ruled that BlockDance BV has been operating the BC.Game and BCGame.lu sites in the Netherlands without a licence.
Following a reinspection from the regulator, it found BlockDance had made the sites inaccessible for Dutch players, and subsequently pulled the threat of weekly fines.
However, during routine monitoring, the KSA noted the sites appeared to become available again in the Netherlands, so the penalty order was reimposed.
BlockDance will be subject to a weekly fine of €280,000, with a maximum cumulative penalty of €840,000.
The penalties will be withdrawn should the company “definitively stop offering games in the Netherlands” within four weeks of receiving notice.
The KSA said: “On the sites investigated, it was possible to create a player account, make deposits and participate in the illegal gambling offered.
“No technical measures were taken on the sites to prevent participation from [players from] the Netherlands.”
BC.Game, which is the front-of-shirt sponsor for Premier League side Leicester City, has claimed it has no current affiliation with BlockDance.
According to the operator’s ‘Help Centre’ page on its website, BC.Game was previously owned and operated by BlockDance on a sub-licence basis which ended on 1 May 2024.
According to the company’s ‘Terms of Service’, as of 30 April 2024, Small House BV took over operations of BC.Game.
The company’s site states: “This announcement serves as notice that the existing relationship between players and BlockDance shall be terminated starting 1 May 2024 and resumed with Small House.
“As such, all existing players are required to accept new terms and conditions of accessing BC.Game under Small House.
“For players who do not agree with the new Terms and Conditions or who do not wish to play under the new licence can choose to have their accounts closed and any funds returned prior to 1 May 2024.”
In July, the Swedish regulator banned Small House from operating in the market as it did not hold a licence to do so.