The well-known Dutch entrepreneur Alexander Klöpping cheerfully told in a podcast how he won €8,000 by betting on the elections via Polymarket. State Secretary Arno Rutte is not exactly pleased about that. He calls it worrying and believes that public figures should know better.
Klöpping wins money on illegal gambling site and speaks proudly about it
The ball started rolling after a podcast episode in which Klöpping, entrepreneur and tech commentator, openly stated that he had earned significantly via Polymarket with predictions about the election result. CDA MP Derk Boswijk subsequently asked questions to State Secretary Rutte: is this allowed? And what does it say when famous Dutch people praise illegal gambling sites?
According to Rutte, it is simple. Betting on elections is prohibited in the Netherlands. And Polymarket has no license, so the platform is illegal. He finds it particularly reprehensible that someone with a large reach makes gambling on such a site seem almost normal.
“Advertising for a forbidden product is not allowed. It is extra worrying when famous people do that. That contributes to the idea that it is normal, while it is simply gambling.”
Arno Rutte, State Secretary for Justice & Security
No blacklist, but warnings
In Belgium, Polymarket is already on a blacklist. But such a list will not be introduced in the Netherlands for the time being, says Rutte. He fears that this might actually give people ideas and lead them to look up illegal sites they otherwise wouldn’t have known. Instead, he refers to the official Kansspelwijzer (Gambling Guide), an overview of legal providers.
Rutte also confirms that there has been contact with several people who promoted Polymarket around the elections. They have been addressed regarding this and have promised not to do it again.
Rutte emphasizes that the cabinet is working on better rules and stricter enforcement. The Gaming Authority (Kansspelautoriteit) will get more clout and will focus extra attention next year on influencers and affiliates who promote illegal gambling. In doing so, there is also cooperation with banks, tech companies, and media platforms to stop this kind of promotion before it gets bigger.