In every region around the world where gambling is a legal activity, certain rules and regulations must be followed. This includes licensing. In the Netherlands, the Gaming Authority known as Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) is in charge of ensuring that those who offer gambling services are authorized to do so. This week, the KSA announced that it has taken action against several dozen operators that were offering services without a valid presence permit.

The discovery was made by the regulator after 290 locations were reviewed. The locations were selected within a random sample. The KSA is in charge of issuing the operating licensing for the sector and realized that these select operators were not authorized.

Details of the Discovery

The KSA issues licensing for operation. An operating permit covers games in places where a presence permit has been issued. An attendance permit is an option too, one that can be issued by municipalities and guarantees. The gaming machines in this instance can only be offered in locations that cater to adults.

An attendance permit is crucial in preventing gaming machines from being used by criminals in the Netherlands. A municipality has the right to conduct a reliability investigation before it will issue an attendance permit if it so chooses. If the potential provider shows bad behavior in any way, then officials can choose to not grant the presence permit. This could include such activities as money laundering or fraudulent behavior.

Basically, the KSA supervises the operators of the industry while the municipalities consider compliance with the regulations surrounding the presence permit. The KSA requires municipalities to check for a presence permit when it comes to gaming machines on a regular basis.

This check is what resulted in the 37 operators coming under fire for inaccurate permits. The end result was that all of the operators except for one ceased the violations.

Continual Concerns Regarding the Gambling Industry

Back in October 2021, the online betting and gaming market came to fruition in the Netherlands. The change was welcomed by players but it has led to continued concern by gaming regulators as to how the industry is offering services.

The KSA has continued to probe operators and issue warnings in the gambling space. One issue that continues to cause concern is advertising. The KSA continues to remind operators with warnings on marketing responsibility. Irresponsible behavior by those who offer services could lead to even more restrictions for the relatively new industry.