BlokDance Warned by KSA to Cease Illegal Gambling Operations

BlokDance is under fire from the Dutch gambling regulator (KSA) for offering unlicensed online gambling in the Netherlands. Facing potential fines of up to €840,000, the company has been warned to immediately cease operations targeting Dutch players or risk severe financial penalties.

BlokDance Faces €840K Fine from Dutch Regulator for Offering Unlicensed Gambling

The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Dutch gambling regulator, has issued a stern warning to BlokDance to stop offering its unlicensed online gambling services to players in the Netherlands. This comes after the regulator found that BlokDance was operating without a local licence via the websites bc.game and bcgame.lu.

Key Points:

1. Unlicensed Offerings: BlokDance had initially started to block Dutch players after the KSA’s initial contact. However, further investigation revealed that Dutch players could still access the sites, create accounts, make deposits, and participate in games.
2. Fines for Non-Compliance: The KSA has warned BlokDance that it will face fines of €280,000 per week for each week that it fails to block Dutch users. The total fines could accumulate to a maximum of €840,000.
3. Illegal Offerings in the Regulated Market: The Netherlands’ regulated gambling market was established to provide greater protection to players, and the KSA emphasized its commitment to enforcing the law against illegal operators.

KSA’s Statement:
“The Netherlands has a regulated gambling market to better protect players. We therefore take tough action against illegal offerings. With a penalty payment order, illegal offerings are often quickly stopped,” the KSA explained.

Concerns from Licensed Operators

Despite the KSA’s enforcement, licensed gambling operators in the Netherlands, represented by the trade associations NOGA and VNLOK, have expressed concerns that the regulator’s efforts may not be enough. They are urging the KSA to ramp up its monitoring of the black market, warning that consumer spending on unlicensed sites appears to be rising.

The latest Autumn Report from the KSA suggests that channelisation—the percentage of players using licensed operators—remains above the 80% target, at an estimated 95%. However, industry groups, citing player spending data, believe that the actual channelisation rate may be closer to 87%.

Protecting Vulnerable Players

A significant concern raised by the industry groups is the accessibility of illegal gambling platforms to minors and vulnerable players. Research has indicated that minors are accessing unlicensed gambling websites, exposing them to gambling-related harm without proper protections.

The trade associations emphasized that these groups are at risk of “disappearing from statistics when they deserve extra protection.” This underscores the importance of effective enforcement to ensure legal operators are the only ones allowed to serve Dutch consumers.

What Happens Next?

BlokDance now faces mounting pressure from the KSA to comply with Dutch regulations. Should the operator fail to act, it risks facing the maximum fine of €840,000, severely impacting its operations. The case highlights the KSA’s commitment to enforcing gambling regulations and ensuring that only licensed operators can offer services in the Dutch market.

The KSA’s warning to BlokDance is a clear signal that the regulator is taking strong measures against unlicensed gambling operators in the Netherlands. While the industry sees positive steps toward channelisation, the rise in spending on the unregulated market is a growing concern. As the KSA continues its enforcement efforts, licensed operators hope to see greater protections for vulnerable players and a fairer market for all involved.