KSA slaps unlicensed operator with €900,000 fine
Investigation in 2022 found MKC Limited offered Dutch players the opportunity to gamble online, with minimal age restriction measures in place
The Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) has issued a fine of €900,000 to MKC Limited for offering Dutch players online gaming without a licence.
The KSA investigated MKC Limited’s betworld247.com website on four separate occasions in May and June last year.
The regulator found that Dutch players were able to create an account on betworld247.com, with MKC Limited installing no measures to prevent users from playing “online games of chance”.
The regulator also found the enrolment process did not visibly verify a player’s age, meaning underage users could take part in online gambling.
During the registration, Netherlands was listed as a country while the Dutch dialling code was entered automatically for players’ telephone numbers.
Additionally, players were able to log in, make a deposit and take part in casino games and sports betting from a Dutch IP address.
The KSA sent “an order subject to penalty” to MKC Limited on 23 August 2022 and told the firm to stop offering online gaming to Dutch players without a licence.
A further investigation on 4 October 2022 found that it was no longer possible to play on the website if a user was based in the Netherlands.
MKC Limited was given a chance, via a letter dated 27 June 2023, to a hearing, as well as the opportunity to submit a written opinion – the Malta-based company did not respond.
Outgoing KSA chair René Jansen said the fine placed on the firm is down not only to offering Dutch players the chance to gamble without a licence, but also the lack of care in relation to underage gamblers.
Jansen said: “At MKC Limited, players could enter an age themselves without clear identification. This means that their website is also accessible to very vulnerable, underage players.
“This is a seriously culpable offence, which we have also included as an increasing factor for the fine. It shows once again that in many cases little attention seems to be paid to the safety of players on the illegal market.”
Jansen announced midway through October that he would be stepping down as KSA chair in 2024, with the regulator confirming that the process to find his replacement has begun.