Netherlands Fines Alimaniere €1.05m for Illegal Online Gambling

Picture a Costa Rican operator facing a staggering penalty for flouting Dutch gambling laws.

The Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) discovered Alimaniere offering unlicensed services to Dutch players.

Now, with a harsh €1.05m fine, the KSA sends a chilling message to those side-stepping age checks and local regulations.

Keep reading to learn why time2spin.com and timetospin1.com triggered such a decisive crackdown.

KSA Hammers Costa Rican Operator with €1.05m Fine: Dutch Market Draws the Line

3 Key Points

1. Alimaniere ran illegal sites time2spin.com and timetospin1.com without blocking Dutch users.
2. No age verification let minors gamble, plus inactivity fees violated consumer protection norms.
3. The KSA fine soared above the base penalty, reflecting the severity and duration of Alimaniere’s violations.

The Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) has ordered Alimaniere Sociedad De Responsabilidad Limitada to pay a hefty €1.05m fine for illegally serving Dutch players. Headquartered in Costa Rica, the operator ran the websites time2spin.com and timetospin1.com, allowing gamblers in the Netherlands to create accounts, deposit funds, and access their games without a local licence.

In February and April 2023, the KSA conducted inspections of time2spin.com. During these checks, the regulator found no geoblocking or age verification mechanism for Dutch users. The platform’s oversight risked minors gambling on real-money casino games. According to Dutch law, operators must implement robust measures to prevent underage access.

Although a follow-up inspection later showed that time2spin.com was no longer accessible, Alimaniere soon launched timetospin1.com, a near-identical gambling site. Users were able to log in with their old credentials, resuming play with minimal interruption. This development spurred the KSA to escalate its investigation.

Alimaniere chose not to respond or provide any written opinion during the investigation. However, the KSA uncovered extensive infractions. These included breaching Dutch licensing rules, disregarding consumer protections, and ignoring safer gambling guidelines. Such broad noncompliance raised the potential penalty. As a result, the final fine significantly exceeded the base amount of €600,000.

During his public remarks, KSA chair Michel Groothuizen stressed the significance of maintaining a legal gambling market. He warned that illegal operators rarely implement measures to prevent problematic play or ensure thorough ID checks. Indeed, Alimaniere’s absence of age verification opened the door for minors. Groothuizen added: “We therefore take tough action against these types of parties.”

A further blow to Alimaniere was the presence of inactivity costs, a fee charged to players if they stopped using their account for a while. This practice undermined consumer trust and, in the KSA’s view, reflected the operator’s disregard for fair treatment of players. Additionally, repeated expansions—like launching timetospin1.com—proved Alimaniere’s willingness to circumvent compliance.

The penalty comes at a pivotal time. Last week, the KSA introduced a new fine policy to enhance clarity, consistency, and effectiveness when enforcing gambling regulations. The Alimaniere case appears to be an early test of these strengthened guidelines, emphasizing the KSA’s zero-tolerance stance on illegal activities. Dutch authorities view a well-regulated gambling environment as vital to player protection and transparent business.

Going forward, the KSA has set a public example: unlicensed operators ignoring Dutch rules risk severe financial and reputational damage. In a crowded market where legitimate operators pay fees, adhere to ID verification, and implement responsible gambling strategies, tolerance for unscrupulous newcomers or offshore-based entities remains low. The crackdown signals that more rigorous oversight could be on the horizon, deterring other would-be rulebreakers.

By imposing a €1.05m fine on Alimaniere, the KSA underscores its dedication to upholding Dutch gambling regulations. Disregarding local licensing, neglecting age checks, and charging inactivity fees sealed Alimaniere’s fate. As the Netherlands continues refining its regulatory framework—highlighted by a new fine policy—this landmark enforcement sets the tone for a safer, more transparent gambling market.