Illegal Advertising Network Targeted by Dutch Gambling Regulator
The Dutch gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has taken decisive action against three companies - SBM Holding Group, Sun Block Media Labs 2.0 Ltd, and JEF Holdings Ltd - for promoting unlicensed gambling platforms on Dutch-facing websites. Specifically, the regulator has targeted Casinoscout.nl, an affiliate site that has been promoting offshore casinos without regulatory approval.
The KSA's recent actions follow repeated warnings to the companies behind Casinoscout.nl, who failed to take measures to correct the observed deficiencies. As a result, the offending website was temporarily taken offline but quickly reemerged with a Dutch IP block.
The KSA is concerned about the potential risks associated with such ambiguity, as it presents a substantial threat to consumer protection. The regulator has noted that by promoting such brands, Casinoscout.nl was defying Dutch law, which not only bans unlicensed gambling but also the advertising of such services.
Under Dutch law, affiliates are legally required to promote only licensed online casinos. Promoting unlicensed operators can result in substantial fines, site blocking, and broad regulatory enforcement including actions against media and marketing agencies involved in such promotions. The penalty order for the three companies could cost them up to €225,000 ($261,000) if they continue to host illegal gambling marketing materials.
In addition to the penalties, the KSA has taken steps to block unlicensed gambling websites from accessibility in the Netherlands by coordinating with domain registration authorities to take such sites offline. Ongoing monitoring and enforcement continue to ensure compliance.
The enforcement strategy now explicitly targets not just affiliates but also the broader advertising supply chain responsible for promoting unlicensed gambling sites. Advertising that circumvents protective measures like the national self-exclusion system (Cruks) is considered "extremely harmful," and the KSA is cracking down on media outlets and marketing agencies promoting illegal gambling platforms without connection to Cruks.
The KSA's action against Casinoscout.nl is part of its ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with Dutch gambling regulations. The group behind Casinoscout.nl reportedly redirected traffic to a second site, besteonlinecasinonederland.com. In 2024, the KSA blocked hundreds of blacklisted domains, demonstrating its commitment to player safety.
The promoted unlicensed casinos had previously attracted the attention of the KSA in prior enforcement cases. The action is primarily based on Casinoscout.nl, an affiliate website that began promoting offshore casinos without regulatory approval in 2025 after a change in ownership. The KSA pressed on, and the platform is now permanently banned.
The KSA was adamant that operators and affiliates seeking to circumvent regulations would face harsh penalties. The regulator contacted the Netherlands Foundation for Internet Domain Registration to take Casinoscout.nl offline. Promoting unlicensed operators to Dutch citizens is strictly forbidden, and Casinoscout.nl's actions were found to be in violation of Dutch law.
The Dutch government's commitment to protecting players and combating the black market is evident in the KSA's strict enforcement of gambling regulations. While there are ongoing reforms aimed at tightening consumer protections and gambling advertising rules further, promotion of unlicensed gambling remains firmly banned under Dutch law.
- The KSA's crackdown on Casinoscout.nl, an affiliate site promoting offshore casinos without regulatory approval, follows repeated warnings about unlicensed gambling platforms and advertising.
- The enforcement strategy by the KSA now extends beyond just affiliates, targeting the broader advertising supply chain responsible for promoting illegal gambling sites, including media outlets and marketing agencies.
- Ongoing monitoring and enforcement by the KSA aim to block unlicensed gambling websites from accessibility in the Netherlands, with the threats of substantial fines, site blocking, and regulatory action against violators.
- The KSA's concern about unlicensed gambling is grounded in the potential risks associated with it, as it presents a threat to consumer protection and defies Dutch law, which bans unlicensed gambling and advertising of such services.
- In the general news, crime and justice discussions, responsible gambling is a topic often raised as the Dutch gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), continues to take decisive action against individuals and companies promoting unlicensed gambling platforms, like Casinoscout.nl, to Dutch citizens.
