KSA Cracks Down on Illegal Bingo Operations in Dordrecht, Netherlands

Dutch Regulator KSA Takes Firm Action Against Illegal Bingo Events in Dordrecht

The Dutch gambling authority, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has intensified its crackdown on illegal gambling activities by shutting down an unauthorized bingo operation in Dordrecht, Netherlands.

The illegal bingo events, which attracted hundreds of customers including minors, were held by the Dordtse Queens bingo business. Despite previous actions by the KSA, including a request to Meta to remove the business’s advertisements from Facebook, the operators continued their activities through alternative pages.

In a recent enforcement action, KSA inspectors raided a physical bingo event in Dordrecht, where they discovered 200 attendees and seized various bingo prizes, including brand-name clothing and footwear. This decisive move underlines the KSA’s commitment to enforcing gambling laws and protecting consumers, especially minors, from illegal gambling activities.

The KSA’s vigilance serves as a reminder to both operators and participants of the legal regulations surrounding gambling in the Netherlands. The authority has made it clear that involvement in illegal bingo is punishable and that minors are strictly prohibited from participation. Organizers of such events face the risk of hefty fines for non-compliance.

Rules Surrounding Bingo in the Netherlands: Legally, bingo can be organized by associations for charitable causes with a local municipality permit, and the prize value must not exceed €1,550. Besides this, bingo is restricted to closed groups of acquaintances.

KSA’s Public Warning: The KSA emphasizes that many people are unaware of the rules governing bingo and lotteries. The regulator is actively educating the public about the legality and risks of participating in unauthorized gambling activities.

Holland Casino Under Scrutiny: In another significant regulatory development, the KSA has warned Holland Casino, the state-controlled gambling brand, to align its control database (CDB) with legal requirements. Non-compliance could result in fines or loss of its online gambling license. Holland Casino’s CDB, a database storing gambling activity data, has been under scrutiny by the KSA since the casino received its online gambling license in September 2021.

The KSA’s recent actions against the illegal bingo operation in Dordrecht and its ongoing monitoring of Holland Casino’s compliance with regulatory standards highlight the regulator’s stringent approach to upholding gambling laws in the Netherlands. These efforts not only aim to curb unauthorized gambling activities but also to protect vulnerable groups and maintain the integrity of the Dutch gambling industry. The KSA’s proactive stance serves as a crucial deterrent against illegal operations and reinforces the importance of adhering to legal gambling practices.