Why Did the Dutch Regulators issue the Gambling Operators the Hefty Fines?
In the Netherlands, online gambling is regulated by the Dutch Gambling Authority (Kansspelautoriteit or KSA). The KSA is responsible for issuing licenses to online casinos, monitoring their activities to ensure compliance with Dutch gambling laws, and enforcing penalties for any violations. On Thursday, 9th February 2023, KSA issued fines totalling €1.8 million to two operators for illegally offering online games of chance in the Netherlands. The operators in question were Equinox Dynamic NV and Domiseda and Partners. Each operator was issued a separate €900K fine for providing players with illegal casino games.
Why the Fine was Issued
Online casinos are allowed to operate legally in the Netherlands, but they must obtain a license from the KSA to do so. The KSA has set strict rules and requirements for online casinos, including measures to prevent problem gambling and to ensure that games are fair.
Under the current gambling regulation, it is illegal for operators to offer games of chance without proper licensing. The fines issued to Equinox and Domiseda result from a breach of the Betting and Gaming Act in the country.
The fine is among the highest issued by Kansspelautoriteit, which shows the two operators had breached several aggravating factors, including offering no age verification while accessing their platforms and promoting high bonus incentives.
The Dutch regulator judged that the two companies allowed players in the Netherlands to access games of chance without obtaining a license from the KSA and meeting all of the requirements for that license, violating the Betting and Gaming Act. KSA Chairman René Jansen “The objective is to create a safe environment for people who want to gamble online. This includes taking strict action against illegal providers.”
About Equinox Dynamic NV and Domiseda & Partners
Equinox Dynamic is a company that operates several online casinos, including La Fiesta Casino, OrientXpress Casino, and Reeltastic Casino. The company is based in Curacao and holds a gaming license from the Curacao eGaming Authority. Equinox Dynamic offers a wide range of casino games, including slots, table games, and live dealer games, from various software providers. The company also provides players with various payment options and customer support services. While on the other hand, Domiseda and Partners s.r.o is Equinox’s wholly-owned subsidiary, based in Slovakia.
