Dutch gambling regulator cracks down on illegal apps

The Netherlands’ gambling authority, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has ramped up its crackdown on illegal gambling apps, announcing that 20 unauthorized apps have been removed from digital app stores since the beginning of the year.

In a public update issued on April 7, the KSA confirmed it has intensified its monitoring efforts and urged consumers to report suspicious gambling-related applications. The regulator emphasized that public reports are crucial in identifying and dismantling operations targeting Dutch users without a license.

KSA warned that illegal gambling apps are becoming an "increasingly urgent" problem in the country, with a growing number of unapproved apps surfacing. The regulator noted that these apps, frequently advertised via social media, are easily accessible to vulnerable individuals, including minors, making the situation even more worrying.

The regulator also revealed deceptive tactics employed by illegal operators to lure users. Some apps misuse the logos of licensed Dutch gambling providers in an attempt to appear legitimate. In a recent case, the logo of Holland Casino was fraudulently used in an app listed on Apple’s App Store.

Another method flagged by the KSA involves apps initially presenting themselves as offering non-gambling content, such as games like plinko, only to redirect users to illegal gambling websites after installation.

“It’s very important to the KSA that consumers continue to report apps,” KSA said. “When reporting gambling advertising, it is essential that the name of the app in question that is being advertised is mentioned in the report.”

The regulator also highlighted the role of cooperation with licensed operators and industry associations in addressing the issue. It pointed to Meld Vals Spel, a platform developed by the industry to report illegal gambling sites, as a key asset in its enforcement efforts.