KSA Calls for European Action Against Cross-Border Illegal Gambling
Michel Groothuizen, Chair of the Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA), has called for stronger cooperation between European countries to tackle the illegal gambling market.
Groothuizen said illegal gambling remains a major problem in the Netherlands. According to him, half of every euro lost by Dutch gamblers currently goes to the illegal market.
He argued that the Netherlands cannot effectively tackle international operators alone. Illegal gambling networks operate across borders and use international payment systems, online advertising and social media to reach players.
The KSA is also seeking stronger cooperation from major technology companies as illegal gambling advertisements continue to appear on mainstream social media platforms.
Michel Groothuizen, Chair of the KSA, stressed:
Inevitably, we need Europe to persuade such parties to cooperate with us in the fight against illegal gambling. In my view, it is naive to cling to the idea that a well-regulated legal national market and a national regulator are sufficient to tackle this problem.
The call comes as the Netherlands continues to consider changes to its gambling framework. Recent discussions have covered player protection, a possible increase in the legal gambling age to 21, limits on licence holders, advertising restrictions and measures against illegal websites.
Groothuizen also supported proposals to introduce tools for blocking illegal gambling sites and explore the use of fake identities when investigating unlicensed operators.
