They did not receive a fine, but a clear warning. Three fellow policymakers have left after decisive action by the Kansspelautoriteit. According to the regulator, they did not meet the integrity requirements.
Kansspelautoriteit intervenes without formal sanctions
In recent months, the Ksa has sent several signals to licence holders in the online gambling sector. In three cases, the regulator announced that a binding instruction would follow if certain co-policy makers remained in place. The individuals concerned then resigned of their own accord. In a fourth case, a business partnership was terminated before the regulator had to intervene.
What is striking is that no formal decision-making was necessary in any of these cases. The companies responded quickly, and the desired changes were made without coercion.
Involvement in illegal offerings and money laundering issues
The background to the integrity assessment explains why the Ksa intervened. One director had previously been involved in illegal gambling in the Netherlands. Another had received a heavy fine for tax offences, which had not been reported previously. The third had a history with a company that had violated anti-money laundering rules for years.
There was also a licence holder who did business with parties that had previously offered illegal gambling on the Dutch market. That relationship has since been terminated.
Licence holders must continue to report their management
Companies with a gambling licence are obliged to report any changes in their management or policy to the Kansspelautoriteit. The integrity test is a fixed part of the inspection. The aim is to prevent individuals with a risky past from influencing legal gambling activities.
According to the Kansspelautoriteit, the fact that no formal decisions were taken this time is thanks to the swift action taken by the parties involved. For the sector, this is yet another signal that transparency and good governance remain essential.