KSA Strengthens Oversight With Legal Expertise
The Dutch Gambling Authority (Kansspelautoriteit or KSA) has officially appointed Jaap Wieland as the third independent chair of its Objections Advisory Committee, effective July 15, 2025. Wieland joins Adriane Koppe and Monique van Oers in leading the committee, which plays a critical role in reviewing industry complaints and evaluating stakeholder feedback on the Netherlands’ gambling regulatory framework.
Jaap Wieland Brings Legal Depth to KSA Oversight
Wieland’s appointment is set for a three-year term, during which he will contribute his extensive legal background to the committee’s decision-making process. A practicing attorney, Wieland has previously served as a lecturer at the University of Amsterdam’s Faculty of Law and as a lawyer at the Administrative Jurisdiction Division of the Council of State.
The KSA emphasized that Wieland’s legal acumen will enhance the committee’s ability to analyze complex regulatory disputes, ensuring fair and transparent outcomes for all parties involved.
KSA Cracks Down on Illegal Gambling Affiliates
In recent enforcement action, the KSA issued penalty orders against three companies—SBM Holding Group, Sun Block Media Labs 2.0 Ltd, and JEF Holdings Ltd—for promoting unlicensed gambling platforms in the Netherlands.
The case centered around Casinoscout.nl, a once-compliant affiliate site that shifted its focus to illegal operators following a change in ownership in 2025. Despite prior warnings, the site continued to violate Dutch gaming laws, prompting the KSA to ban the platform and impose financial penalties on the companies behind it.
VBet Faces SEO Challenges Despite Compliance
Meanwhile, licensed operator VBet is grappling with search engine visibility issues, making it virtually unfindable on Google despite holding a valid Dutch license. The lack of online discoverability has significantly impacted the brand’s performance in the market.
Efforts to resolve the issue through Google support and other channels have proven ineffective, leading VBet to consider escalating the matter to the KSA for intervention.
Final Thoughts
With the appointment of Jaap Wieland, the KSA continues to reinforce its commitment to transparent regulation and legal integrity in the Dutch gambling sector. As enforcement actions intensify and licensed operators face new challenges, the role of the Objections Advisory Committee will be more crucial than ever in maintaining a fair and compliant gaming environment.
