The Netherlands Gaming Authority, KSA (Kansspelautoriteit), has imposed a €1.05 million ($1.09 million) fine on Alimaniere Sociedad De Responsabilidad Limitada, a Costa Rica-based gambling operator, for providing unlicensed online gambling services to Dutch players. The KSA is known for its strict regulation of the gaming sector, ensuring that all licensed operators comply with stringent customer protection standards.
Multiple Compliance Issues
The fine follows an investigation that revealed the operator violated Dutch gambling laws by offering services through the website time2spin.com, accessible to Dutch players. Although the website was later IP-blocked for Dutch users, the KSA discovered the company continued its activities in the country. Alimaniere attempted to circumvent the restrictions by creating a new website, timetospin1.com, allowing Dutch users to gamble using their existing accounts. This deliberate evasion of regulatory oversight resulted in a significantly higher penalty than the usual €600,000 ($624,000).
Additional issues included failures in age verification and potentially allowing minors to gamble. Alimaniere’s websites also imposed inactivity fees on players and lacked safeguards to prevent problem gambling, violating Dutch regulations and justifying the KSA’s actions.
Heightened Regulatory Scrutiny
The fine against Alimaniere reflects the Netherlands’ ongoing efforts to combat unauthorized gambling operators and protect its regulated market. The KSA has been increasingly proactive, recently issuing a €600,000 penalty against Blue High House BV for targeting Dutch players through the unregulated platform betonline.ag.
The KSA’s strict licensing requirements aim to ensure fairness, consumer protection, and responsible gaming. By targeting unregulated entities, the Authority maintains the integrity of the regulated gambling market in the Netherlands. KSA chairman Michel Groothuizen emphasized the dangers posed by illegal providers and the need for swift intervention.
“The Netherlands has a legal market to ensure that people who want to gamble can do so safely. With illegal providers, we often see no measures to prevent risky gambling behavior. We, therefore, take tough action against these entities.” —Michel Groothuizen, KSA chairman
The KSA’s increased scrutiny sends a clear message: unlicensed operators targeting Dutch players will face severe consequences. Dutch trade associations NOGA and VNLOK have joined the regulator’s efforts by launching a new gambling report hotline, allowing the public to help combat black market operators.
