Influencer Faced with Financial Penalty in Saudi Arabia's Initial Enforcement Action for Gambling
The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Dutch gambling regulator, has stepped up its enforcement against social media influencers promoting illegal gambling, marking a significant shift in the Netherlands' approach to enforcement.
The intensified action by the KSA stems from a surge in reports about influencers posting gambling content on unlicensed platforms across various social media channels. The regulator is particularly concerned about the impact of such promotions on young and vulnerable audiences, who are more susceptible to gambling-related harm.
In a landmark case, the KSA has imposed a penalty on YouTuber LeftlanePapi for promoting illegal gambling. The penalty order requires LeftlanePapi to immediately cease the distribution, promotion, or broadcasting of illegal gambling on any social media. Each infringement will result in a €25,000 fine, up to a maximum of €75,000.
The KSA's new approach to enforcement focuses on protecting young people from the risks associated with illegal gambling, such as exposure to unregulated operators, fraud, addiction, and unsafe gaming environments. The regulator has warned other influencers about promoting illegal gambling and is prepared to take action if they fail to comply with the rules.
The KSA's new stance implements a two-track policy. Initially, influencers are warned to remove illegal content within 48 hours. Failure to comply results in fines and direct requests to social media platforms to take down the content, ensuring removal regardless of influencer cooperation.
The penalty issued to LeftlanePapi serves as a warning and precedent to others in the influencer community, illustrating the regulator’s commitment to curb illegal gambling promotions on social media. This landmark case in the Netherlands may serve as a reference for regulators across Europe.
The tightening advertising rules for games in the Netherlands could have broader implications for the gaming industry, pressuring social media platforms to take greater responsibility for the content they host. The KSA's goal is to protect consumers, especially the young, from the harms associated with illegal gambling.
[1] Kansspelautoriteit (2021). KSA tightens up enforcement against influencers promoting illegal gambling. Retrieved from https://www.ksa.nl/nieuws/ksa-tightens-up-enforcement-against-influencers-promoting-illegal-gambling
[2] Euractiv (2021). Dutch gambling regulator cracks down on influencers promoting illegal gambling. Retrieved from https://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/dutch-gambling-regulator-cracks-down-on-influencers-promoting-illegal-gambling/
[3] Reuters (2021). Dutch regulator fines YouTuber for promoting illegal gambling. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/dutch-regulator-fines-youtuber-promoting-illegal-gambling-2021-11-18/
[4] GamblingCompliance (2021). Dutch gambling regulator takes action against influencers promoting illegal gambling. Retrieved from https://www.gamblingcompliance.com/en/news/2021/11/18/dutch-gambling-regulator-takes-action-against-influencers-promoting-illegal-gambling
- The KSA's enforcement against social media influencers promoting illegal gambling represents a shift in the Netherlands' approach to crime and justice, signifying a focus on responsible gambling and general news.
- The surge in reports about influencers posting gambling content on unlicensed platforms has led to the KSA imposing penalties on influencers such as YouTuber LeftlanePapi, setting a gambling-trends precedent for the influencer community and potentially influencing similar regulations across Europe.
- Ordered to cease promoting illegal gambling, LeftlanePapi now faces fines of up to €75,000 for each infringement, as part of the KSA's efforts to protect young and vulnerable audiences from the risks associated with casino-games, lotteries, and other forms of casino-and-gambling on unregulated operators.
- As the gaming industry adapts to the KSA's tightening advertising rules, social media platforms may be forced to take greater responsibility for the content they host and ensure it adheres to gambling-trends and responsible-gambling standards, thus creating a safer environment for consumers, particularly the young.
