The Dutch Gaming Authority (Kansspelautoriteit, Ksa) has issued significant fines against two illegal online gambling providers—Fortaprime SRL and Novatech—for offering unauthorized games of chance to Dutch consumers.
Fortaprime was fined €1,795,000, while Novatech received a record‑setting penalty of €24,846,000. Both operators had previously been subject to enforcement orders under penalty.
Illegal Access and Aggravating Violations
Ksa investigators were able to create accounts, deposit funds, and participate in gambling on the following websites:
- Fortaprime: amonbet101.com, supraplay.com, amonbet.com, bilucky.com, gxspins.com, cheeseino.com, hiddenjack.com, luckymax7.com
- Novatech: Qbet.com, 55Bet.com
None of the sites implemented technical measures to block Dutch players. The Ksa also identified several aggravating factors, including:
- No visible age‑verification measures
- Acceptance of cryptocurrency and anonymous payment methods, increasing money‑laundering risks
Turnover‑Based Penalties and Legal Limitations
When standard fines do not reflect the scale of illegal revenue, the Ksa may impose turnover‑related penalties. The regulator determined that both Fortaprime and Novatech earned substantial sums from Dutch players, warranting higher fines based on estimated revenue.
The penalty issued to Novatech is the largest fine ever imposed by the Ksa on an illegal operator. However, the regulator emphasized that Dutch law limits fines to a maximum of 10% of global turnover, restricting its ability to impose penalties proportionate to the illegal profits earned.
Ksa Chair Michel Groothuizen explained:
“We determine the penalty level on the basis of the (estimated) turnover that the illegal provider has achieved from players in the Netherlands. We are restricted by the law, which states that the fine may be a maximum of 10% of global turnover. Novatech made hundreds of millions from its illegal offer, mainly from Dutch players. A fine of €24 million sounds impressive, but without the 10% cap, the fine would have exceeded €100 million—an amount more fitting for this violation.”
Broader Enforcement Efforts
The Ksa stressed that action against illegal gambling operators extends beyond administrative fines. The regulator works closely with:
- Payment service providers
- Hosting companies
- Banks
- Major technology platforms
The Ksa also noted that Dutch influencers had promoted Fortaprime’s illegal offerings. Influencers who advertise unlicensed gambling operators may also face sanctions.
