Ksa calls for more powers to combat illegal gambling websites
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18 Mar 2025 •
Reading time: 2 minutes One of the Kansspelautoriteit’s (Ksa) goals for 2025 is to sustainably combat and eradicate illegal casinos. To achieve this mission, the Ksa is requesting additional powers to swiftly block these sites.
The limitations of the Ksa’s current tools
Currently, the Ksa has limited means to take action against illegal operators. Legal procedures are lengthy and complex, allowing illegal websites to continue operating during this period. The Ksa has repeatedly emphasized that these limitations hinder its effectiveness and undermine consumer protection.
To more effectively combat illegal sites, the Ksa needs additional powers, including the ability to quickly block these websites. The Ksa has studied the practices of other European countries regarding the blocking of illegal gambling sites. It has concluded that DNS blocking is the most effective method. This was highlighted in the Woo request.
France: an inspiration for the Ksa
The Ksa is considering following the example of the French National Gaming Authority (ANJ), which has the power to swiftly block illegal sites. In France, the ANJ can directly block illegal casinos without judicial intervention. It does so by contacting internet service providers (ISPs), which then restrict access to these sites. This also applies to search engines.
This capability enables a more effective response against unauthorized operators, ensuring better protection for both players and the legal market.
Political obstacles to obtaining new powers
In 2016, an amendment proposed by the D66 party prevented the Ksa from obtaining the power to enforce DNS blocking. Lawmakers Judith Swinkels and Kees Verhoeven expressed concerns about government interference in the technical functioning of the internet, arguing that it could compromise its neutrality.
Ksa’s arguments for increased powers
The Ksa argues that without additional powers, it cannot effectively combat illegal gambling websites. It highlights that these sites pose risks to consumers, including fraud and gambling addiction, and create unfair competition for legal operators. According to the Ksa, it is high time to take decisive action against these illegal platforms to effectively protect consumers and safeguard the integrity of the market.