Key Moments:
- KSA has fined Betent (Betcity) €2,650,000 for insufficiently protecting young adults against excessive gambling and addiction.
- An investigation into 10 of Betent’s player files with the largest losses found violations in every case, all involving individuals aged 18 to 23.
- Michel Groothuizen, chairman of the KSA board, stated the regulator has intensified oversight of duty of care within the licensed gambling market.
Regulator Findings Point to Major Compliance Breaches
The Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) has levied a fine of €2,650,000 against Betent (Betcity) after determining the operator failed to adequately safeguard young adults from problematic gambling behaviors and gambling addiction. The KSA’s duty of care requirements mandate that licensed gambling operators must do their utmost to shield players from such risks.
Details of the Investigation
The KSA undertook a targeted review following reports of significant financial losses among young adult players. During the investigation, officials scrutinized ten specific player files showing the highest losses. Violations of the duty of care were identified across all these cases. Each affected player, aged between 18 and 23, had incurred losses amounting to tens of thousands of euros, often within a short window of time.
| Operator | Regulator | Fine Amount | Nature of Breach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Betent (Betcity) | Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) | €2,650,000 | Insufficient protection for young adults against excessive gambling |
Regulatory Perspective and Future Oversight
Michel Groothuizen, chairman of the KSA, commented: “We have a licensed gambling market based on the principle that anyone who wants to gamble can do so safely. Therefore, providers have a duty of care to their players and must respond appropriately to excessive gambling. Large losses are an important signal of this. We have intensified our oversight of the online duty of care, and we are taking strong action against violations like those we observe here at Betcity. We truly do not want to see providers fail so badly in their duty of care, especially for vulnerable young players.”
- Author
Daniel Williams
