KSA Sanctions Dutch Bingo Host Over Illegal Games

Imagine hosting a bingo night that snowballs into a massive legal nightmare.

That is the reality of an unlicensed operator in the Netherlands, caught running Facebook bingo sessions with oversized prizes.

Picture the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) stepping in, threatening €131,250 in fines for ignoring strict Dutch gambling laws.

Read on to see how this brazen act triggered the KSA’s crackdown and what it means for illegal games everywhere.

KSA Slams Unlicensed Bingo: Dutch Operator Faces Massive Fines and Shut Down

3 Key Points

1. Dutch Regulator Acts: The KSA uncovered unlicensed bingo games with ticket sales on Facebook.
2. High-Stakes Prizes: The operator awarded prizes above legal limits, violating Dutch bingo regulations.
3. Steep Fines Threatened: Continued misconduct could cost €131,250 for games plus €65,625 for illegal advertising.

The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Dutch Gaming Regulator, has cracked down on an individual who has been running unlicensed bingo games across Facebook. According to the KSA, the accused has been selling tickets and bingo booklets through a public page titled “Baco’s zaalbingo.” Prices reached €25 for tickets and €62.50 for bingo books. The operation drew attention because these games were streamed live on Facebook, openly attracting hundreds of players.

This unlicensed organizer also offered prizes far above the threshold allowed by Dutch law. In the Netherlands, a single bingo prize may not exceed €400, and the total pot cannot exceed €1,550. By surpassing these legal caps, the organizer risked severe sanctions. Even more concerning is that he had no official permit or charitable cause. Instead, he publicly admitted to hosting these games “every now and again,” implying it was a personal venture aimed at profiting from unsuspecting players.

KSA officials remain firm on legal compliance. They emphasize that bingo is lawful only if it is run by an established association (existing at least three years) and adheres to strict prize limits. The organizer’s self-admission that he has been operating since 2022 offers no such track record. Regulators discovered no evidence of a legitimate charitable purpose, which further undermined any claim of compliance.

Moreover, the KSA also references the Dutch advertising ban on illegal gambling operators. By marketing these bingo sessions through a Facebook page, the individual also runs afoul of laws on unlicensed gambling advertising. This not only triggers potential financial penalties but also points to possible injunctions and forced closure if he continues. Should these violations persist, the KSA warns of fines starting at €13,125 per bingo session, with a maximum penalty of €131,250. The authority also threatens advertising penalties of €6,562.50 per infringing advertisement, up to €65,625 in total.

The operator’s disregard for fundamental safeguards, such as ignoring maximum prize allowances and refusing to obtain a license, demonstrates how ill-prepared many clandestine ventures can be. This brazen violation appears especially galling because minors could theoretically participate, as no robust age verification was mentioned. The KSA has long voiced concerns about consumer protection, especially for vulnerable players unaware of illegal gambling’s pitfalls.

Astonishingly, the individual even appeared on social media interviews discussing his unlicensed bingo operation. He confirmed that these events took place “every now and again,” effectively admitting to a pattern of repeated infractions. As a result, the KSA found ample evidence to serve official notice, culminating in the threat of staggering fines. The entire affair highlights the regulator’s commitment to stamping out unauthorized gambling in a market dedicated to safe and fair play.

The timing of this enforcement also underscores the KSA’s sharpened vigilance. Only days earlier, the regulator slapped a €1.1 million fine on Alimaniere for running illegal online gambling. Both episodes reveal the KSA’s escalated efforts to ensure compliance and deter those who view Dutch laws as optional.

By penalizing an unlicensed bingo organizer and warning of six-figure fines, the KSA demonstrates a zero-tolerance stance on illegal gambling. By offering prizes well above legal limits and ignoring local regulations, the operator set himself up for severe repercussions. With newly heightened scrutiny and robust penalties, the Dutch regulator leaves little room for questionable operations in its regulated market. If anything, this case signals that unlicensed activity, even “every now and again,” can result in considerable legal and financial jeopardy.