VPN trick from online casino fails: Kansspelautoriteit takes hard action

L.C.S. Limited that operates illegally in the Netherlands has again been fined by the Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa) for offering games of chance through one of its online casino sites without having a valid license. The fine of €165,000 was imposed for non-compliance with the rules.

L.C.S. Limited has been in the Ksa’s sights for some time. In 2022, a fine of €350,000 was already issued for not registering in the Ksa register. The company appealed, but the judge ruled that the fine was justified.

New fine due to VPN connection

The new fine of €165,000 has been imposed because L.C.S. Limited would not have complied with the penalty payment order. The Ksa had instructed the casino to take all measures to prevent Dutch players from gambling on the website. L.C.S. However, Limited would not have done this.

According to the Ksa, the parent company of a number of online casinos used a VPN connection to hide the fact that Dutch players gambled on the website. The Ksa bases this on information from NordVPN, the provider of the VPN connection. However, NordVPN has stated that it is possible that an incorrect IP location is being displayed by the VPN connection.

L.C.S. Limited challenges fine

L.C.S. Limited denies using a VPN connection. The casino states that the Ksa acted unlawfully by using a VPN connection to check whether Dutch players were gambling on the website. The company is contesting the fine.

The case is now in the hands of the judge. The judge will have to assess whether the Ksa has rightly imposed a fine on L.C.S. Limited.