Regulatory body in the Netherlands issues cautionary statements against three gambling firms
The Dutch Gambling Authority, known as the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has taken action against three licensed companies for shortcomings in their adherence to the Wwft (Wet ter voorkoming van witwassen en financieren van terrorisme), a crucial part of the authority's strategy to combat illegal gambling.
The KSA has identified deficiencies in several areas, including the investigation of players' fund sources, risk classification of players, and the monitoring and reporting of suspicious transactions. These issues are common areas of concern in the gambling sector, often involving incomplete or inadequate customer due diligence, insufficient monitoring, lack of proper internal controls, and deficiencies in record keeping.
Each licensed company under Dutch law is required to track suspicious transactions and report them under the Wwft. The KSA provides all known information about the Wwft guidelines to operators and regulated companies, yet concerns about the lack of full release of these guidelines persist among some operators.
The sanctions issued under the Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Prevention Act (Wwft) serve as a warning to the companies to make amendments that swiftly align their offers with the Wwft. Failure to do so may result in more severe sanctions in future inspections.
The Dutch gambling market has been under the scrutiny of the KSA, which deploys the Wwft as part of its overall strategy to combat illegal gambling. Despite achieving a high level of channelization (over 90%) based on most estimates, the Dutch gambling market is still struggling to contain the gross gaming revenue in the country.
In addition, on July 1, 2025, the Dutch gambling market introduced an expanded ban on gambling advertisements. This move is part of a broader effort to regulate the industry and protect consumers.
For detailed, authoritative, and up-to-date specifics on the KSA’s findings on Wwft compliance deficiencies, it is best to consult official reports published by the Kansspelautoriteit or the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security, or specialized legal and compliance advisories focused on the Dutch gambling sector.
As always, it is crucial for all parties involved in the Dutch gambling market to stay informed and compliant with the ever-evolving regulations to ensure a safe and fair environment for all participants.
- The KSA's scrutiny of the Dutch gambling market, including casino-and-gambling operations, highlights the ongoing concerns about gambling trends, such as incomplete customer due diligence and insufficient monitoring, which are common issues in the casino-games sector.
- In an effort to combat illegal gambling and ensure compliance with anti-money laundering regulations like the Wwft, the KSA provides guidelines to casino-culture operators and regulated companies, encouraging them to prioritize internal controls, proper record keeping, and adherence to gambling-trends best practices.
