Unmasking Illicit Gambling: KSA Slams Newspaper Ads
Saudi Arabia Takes Action Against Unlawful Casino Advertisements in Dutch Publications
The Dutch Gambling Authority (KSA) has wrapped up a six-month undercover operation, zeroing in on newspapers advertising unauthorized online casinos. These gambling sites, unlinked to the Dutch self-exclusion platform Cruks, were surreptitiously peddled through various media platforms.
In the course of the investigation, the KSA's investigative team reached out to 42 editors, alerting them about the dangers of promoting these forbidden sites. The regulatory body announced, "This research has revealed that players are occasionally lured into unlawful gambling, even playing without Cruks, insidiously."
Safeguarding Players and Upholding Compliance
The KSA underscored the importance of players consulting the Gambling Guide on Kansspelautoriteit.nl before diving into online gambling activities. This resource showcases all licensed providers entitled to offer gambling services in the Netherlands, thereby shielding players from illegal operators devoid of robust player protection protocols.
Extending beyond direct web links to unlicensed providers, the investigation delved into the use of brand recommendations, logos, and images of Dutch banks. Upon receiving contact, editors swiftly removed links to unapproved gambling sites and received guidance on preventing future infractions.
Concerns Over Tipster Site and Youth Exposure
Recently, the KSA set its sights on tipster site Analyse Master. Although no direct violations were found, the regulatory body expressed alarm about its popularity among impressionable youth, who are more prone to gambling addiction.
KSA chairman Michel Groothuizen voiced his concerns, stating, "The presence of channels on social media that promote sports betting among young adults is an alarming and concerning phenomenon, given that young adults are highly susceptible to gambling addiction."
Regulatory Shifts Ahead
The KSA anticipates imminent modifications in advertising regulations, as endorsed by state secretary Struycken in his vision on gambling. These modifications would empower the regulatory body to launch greater offensive actions against third-party promoters of gambling services, thereby enhancing player protection and industry oversight.
Enrichment Data:
The Dutch Gambling Authority (KSA) spearheads stricter regulatory measures and escalates enforcement actions against bad apples in the gambling realm, with a keen focus on advertisements and external promoters. In the recent landscape, landmark updates include:
- Responsible gambling policies: A suite of new regulations introduced in October 2024 includes deposit limits and affordability checks. The KSA's Spring 2025 report showcases a noticeable reduction in extreme player losses[1][4].
- Struggling with channelization: Despite the fact that 91% of players choose legal operators, the KSA estimates that around 50% of total spending now goes to unlawful operators due to the burgeoning black market[5]. The share of spending channelized dropped from 58% (H1 2024) to 50% (H2 2024)[5].
- App purge: In early 2025, the KSA eliminated 20 unauthorized gambling apps from app stores, accusing them of disingenuous use of licensed operator logos (like Holland Casino) and redirecting users from non-gambling apps to illicit sites[2][3].
- Public outcry: The KSA encourages consumers to denounce illegal apps, underscoring that social media ads and third-party promoters often target minors and vulnerable groups[2].
- Industry cooperation: The Meld Vals Spel platform, developed alongside licensed operators, facilitates reporting of illegal sites. Collaborating with app stores, the KSA enforces app removals[2][5].
- Deceptive marketing: The KSA identified fraudulent exploitation of licensed brands in app promotions and flagged apps posing as non-gambling products (such as plinko games) to escape detection[2].
- Heightened monitoring: The authority has intensified surveillance of social media ads and external promoters, witnessing a surge in unapproved apps advertised through these platforms[2][5].
These measures highlight the KSA's concerted efforts to protect players while grappling with expanding black market tactics, particularly in the realm of digital marketing and app-based gambling[1][2][5].
- The KSA has launched an undercover operation to combat unauthorized online casinos, focusing on newspapers advertising these sites that are unlinked to Cruks, the Dutch self-exclusion platform.
- The KSA emphasized the need for players to consult the Gambling Guide on Kansspelautoriteit.nl before engaging in online gambling, which features licensed providers and shields players from illegal operators.
- The KSA expressed concerns about the popularity of tipster site Analyse Master among young adults, who are more susceptible to gambling addiction, despite no direct violations being found.
- Stricter regulatory measures and enforcement actions against bad actors in the gambling industry are being spearheaded by the KSA, especially concerning advertisements and external promoters.
- The KSA anticipates changes in advertising regulations, which would bolster player protection and industry oversight by enabling the regulatory body to take stronger action against third-party promoters of gambling services.
- Recently, the KSA has eliminated unauthorized gambling apps from app stores, enforcing app removals in collaboration with licensed operators and app stores, as well as targeting social media ads and external promoters that often target minors and vulnerable groups.
