Dutch Regulator Wins Legal Battle Over Gambling Licence

The Dutch gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has secured a major legal victory after the Hague District Court ruled in its favor over a contentious licence refusal. The case involved a Malta-based gambling provider whose former shareholder was allegedly linked to a high-profile murder investigation in Malta.

KSA’s strict integrity tests played a decisive role in denying the licence application, reinforcing the regulator’s commitment to transparency and compliance. The ruling sets a precedent for the Netherlands’ stringent approach to gambling regulation, ensuring only operators with proven integrity can access the market.

Dutch Regulator Wins Court Case Over Gambling Licence Linked to Murder Investigation

A Landmark Decision Reinforces the Netherlands’ Strict Gambling Regulations

Key Takeaways:

✅ KSA refused a gambling licence due to the applicant’s ties to a murder investigation.
✅ The Hague District Court upheld KSA’s decision, affirming its regulatory authority.
✅ This case underscores the Netherlands’ strict vetting process for gambling operators.

Why KSA Denied the Gambling Licence

In February 2023, KSA rejected a Malta-based gambling operator’s licence application, citing concerns over a former shareholder.

🔹 The shareholder was suspected of involvement in the murder of an investigative journalist in Malta.
🔹 While the shareholder had severed ties with the company, KSA found inconsistencies in the information provided.
🔹 The applicant’s responses were deemed evasive, incomplete, or misleading, leading to the rejection.

Ensuring operator integrity is a key responsibility of KSA. If an applicant fails transparency checks, the regulator has the authority to deny licences or enforce penalties.

“Carrying out integrity tests is an important part of the supervision by the KSA,” the regulator stated after the ruling.

The Legal Battle: Gambling Provider Challenges the Decision

The unnamed operator appealed the decision, arguing that:

🔸 The shareholder exited the company in November 2021, severing all business ties.
🔸 The company complied with Dutch regulations, supporting initiatives like the Cruks self-exclusion scheme.
🔸 The National Bibob Agency, which assesses business integrity, cleared the company.

Despite these defenses, the court ruled that providing misleading or incomplete information was enough to justify refusal.

“If an investigation shows that an operator’s reliability is in question, KSA can refuse a permit,” the regulator emphasized.

What This Ruling Means for the Dutch Gambling Market

The Netherlands’ regulated gambling industry is among the strictest in Europe. This ruling highlights:

✔ The Importance of Full Transparency: Operators must provide clear and complete information in licence applications.
✔ KSA’s Zero-Tolerance Approach: Any suspicion of misconduct can lead to a licence denial.
✔ Stronger Compliance Requirements: The case reinforces Dutch gambling laws, ensuring a highly regulated market.

The provider still has the option to file another appeal, but the ruling strengthens KSA’s authority in enforcing strict regulatory standards.

This case sends a strong message—only operators that meet the highest integrity standards will be allowed into the Dutch gambling market.