Ksa warns Dutch Grand Prix and Sauber F1 team against illegal gambling advertising
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21 Aug 2024 •
Reading time: 2 minutes Formula 1 will take place this weekend at the Zandvoort circuit in the Netherlands. Max Verstappen the crowd favorite will make his appearance there. While fans are preparing for the races the Dutch Gaming Authority has intervened against an illegal betting provider. The Stake company is not licensed to operate in the country.
The Gaming Authority has called on the organization of the Dutch Grand Prix and the Formula 1 team Sauber not to advertise the online casino Stake. Which is illegal in the Netherlands. This request comes just three days before the Zandvoort Grand Prix starts. With the first free practice. Stake that is not licensed in the Netherlands is not allowed to offer games of chance and therefore cannot advertise such services.
Previously, Stake was also not allowed to be a sponsor for the Formula 1 GP of Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. In 2021, Stake was already labeled as an illegal casino by the Gaming Commission (KSC).
Stake without a permit in the Netherlands
Since this year, Stake has been the main sponsor of the Sauber F1 team, which last year raced under the name Alfa Romeo. Despite the fact that Stake is illegal in the Netherlands. The casino was visible on the Alfa Romeo during the race at Zandvoort last year. This year however the Ksa has strongly asked both the racing team and the organization of the Dutch Grand Prix not to advertise Stake.
The Ksa emphasizes that Stake is not licensed in the Netherlands and that it is prohibited to advertise illegal games of chance or promote participation in them.
Despite Stake’s measures, the Gaming Authority still sees participation by Dutch players. This makes it unacceptable for the Ksa that illegal games of chance are advertised during a Dutch event with a wide reach, such as Formula 1. This is especially true because the event attracts a lot of attention from vulnerable groups, such as minors and young adults.
Sauber F1 team replaces Stake with Kick
Given the Ksa’s warning, the Sauber team is expected to run the cars with the name Kick instead of Stake. Kick is a sister company of Stake and a live streaming platform similar to Twitch, where many users share their online casino adventures.
Stake is not the only illegal online casino active in Formula 1. Max Verstappen’s Red Bull and Norris and Piastri’s McLaren also have gambling sponsors that are not legal in the Netherlands. It is not known whether these teams have also received a warning from the Gaming Authority.