Copyright : Marian Vejcik / 123RF Stock Photo

Kansspelautoriteit, the Dutch gaming authority, has imposed a €350,000 fine on ElectraWorks Limited for offering online gambling via the Bwin.com site.

ElectraWorks is the entity that holds the licence to operate the GVC Holdings brand within the Netherlands, and follows a number of other firms who have earned similar penalties from the country’s regulator.

The Ksa said that live casino games, including poker, blackjack and roulette, as well as sports betting was evident on the site, with an investigation finding a primary focus on Netherlands-based consumers through the use of the Dutch language, the .nl extension and use of the iDeal payment criteria.

Revealing news of the fine, the regulator stated: “Research by the Ksa revealed that at least for a certain period of time online games of chance were offered via the website bwin.com. There was a large selection of sports bets on the site. 

“It was also possible to play live casino games such as roulette, blackjack and poker. The site focused (also) on Dutch consumers. This is evident from the use of the Dutch payment method iDEAL. Offering the possibility of gambling is prohibited in the Netherlands without a license. Under the current Gambling Act, it is not possible to obtain a license for online gambling.”

Earlier this year gambling regulator, revealed that the Dutch senate has passed the Remote Gambling Act, for which it has set a target of coming into effect on Wednesday July 1, 2020, with permit applications able to be processed from that date, and the market for online games of chance then able to be officially open from Friday January 1, 2021.

At its last count the authority revealed that it has received 183 notifications from interested parties who are considering submitting an application for offering online gambling.

Last month the Ksa emphasised that in order to secure the green-light to proceed onto the upcoming Dutch online market, applicants must have refrained from offering online games of chance, specifically aimed at consumers in the Netherlands, during the two years prior to the date of submission.