The Dutch Gaming Authority (Kansspelautoriteit/KSA) announced that it has cracked down on several illegal poker tournaments that took place in 2024. The regulator added that its enforcement led to the seizing of tens of thousands of euros in cash and the issue of a financial penalty of EUR 110K to an organizer of such events.
The KSA Cracked Down on Several Illegal Events in Q4
The KSA explained that illegal poker tournaments are often hosted by criminals who use legal businesses as a front to disguise their illicit activities. However, unlicensed gambling is strictly prohibited as it can lead to a variety of complications for players. The KSA emphasized that poker players who frequent such high-stake tournaments enjoy none of the protections offered by the legal industry and run the risk of developing а gambling addiction.
The KSA is therefore committed to weeding out illegal poker from the Netherlands. To that end, the authority cracked down on illegal tournaments in six operations in the final quarter of 2024 alone.
According to the regulator, its inspectors dismantled illegal poker events in several municipalities, including Amsterdam, Asten, The Hague, Rotterdam and Tilburg. The KSA noted that large amounts of cash were found at every location. Once, the authorities uncovered a staggering EUR 40,000.
The KSA added that one of the establishments that hosted illegal gambling events has been permanently closed by order of the municipality following the regulator’s crackdown.
As mentioned, a separate case saw the KSA impose a financial penalty on an organizer of illegal poker games.
Only Holland Casino Can Host Poker Tournaments
The KSA reminded players in the Netherlands that Holland Casino is the only operator allowed to organize poker tournaments in the country. The regulator has retained this exclusivity since 1975, meaning that all other poker events are illegal.
The authority reiterated its commitment to doubling down on its regulatory efforts in 2025, monitoring the sector and intervening when violations have been identified. To that end, the KSA will be cooperating with a variety of partners, including the police and local authorities. Independent actions will also be carried out more and more often, the regulator warned.
KSA Recorded Spike in Potential Match-Fixing
The KSA’s vow to intensify its regulatory efforts comes amid increased problem gambling and integrity-related concerns in the country. The regulator’s Match-Fixing Trend Analysis for 2024 showed a spike in the number of potential instances of match-fixing, suggesting a possible increase in illicit activity.
While the KSA pointed out that the higher number of identified cases might signify that operators are taking their duties to report such instances more seriously than before, it also acknowledged that it is also possible that match-fixing has simply increased.
In other news, the Dutch Gambling Authority recently published a new notice on its website, cautioning companies against breaching rules that have to do with the autoplay functionality & option. Autoplay options, for context, are not allowed in the country.
