Helmond: Café involved in illegal gambling
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6 Mar 2025 •
Reading time: 2 minutes On 27 February, a joint operation by the Peelland Interventieteam (PIT), the municipality of Helmond, the Dutch Gaming Authority (Kansspelautoriteit, Ksa) and the Dutch police uncovered illegal gambling activities in a café in Helmond.
Illegal gaming terminal discovered
During the operation, the authorities discovered a computer that had been converted into a gaming terminal and was equipped with illegal software that allowed customers to bet on sporting events without any official control. Receipts for gambling transactions were also found on site, confirming the active use of this equipment.
The discovery of these illegal activities could have significant repercussions for the establishment concerned. The municipality of Helmond and the Ksa have announced that a thorough investigation will be conducted, which could result in the revocation of the establishment’s operating and alcohol licenses.
Call for vigilance and reporting
The authorities strongly encourage citizens to report any suspicion of illegal activities. To facilitate reporting, the Ksa provides an online form and a dedicated telephone line to collect information.
What are the risks associated with illegal gambling?
Illegal gambling carries many dangers, both for players and for society.
In the absence of regulation, these clandestine platforms or establishments do not guarantee fairness of games or transparency of payments, thus increasing the risks of fraud and non-payment of winnings. The lack of control encourages money laundering and other forms of organized crime, with opaque financial flows that escape any government oversight.
Furthermore, these operations do not comply with the rules for protecting vulnerable players, including minors and people prone to gambling addiction. The lack of responsible gambling mechanisms can lead to significant financial losses and excessive indebtedness for players, thus aggravating the social and economic problems associated with gambling.