The Netherlands’ gaming regulator, known as the KSA, levied a substantial penalty of €350,000 (approximately $391,532) against ElectraWorks Limited. Their transgression? Providing digital gambling services to Dutch citizens via their platform, Bwin.com, without the necessary authorization.
ElectraWorks, headquartered in Gibraltar, was discovered offering a wide array of online wagering products, such as sports wagers, roulette, blackjack, and poker. Evidence indicated they were focusing on the Dutch demographic, despite internet gambling being prohibited in the Netherlands at the time.
Furthermore, the firm accepted payments through Dutch channels, a blatant indication of their deliberate pursuit of Dutch clientele. For those unfamiliar, ElectraWorks operates the renowned Bwin brand, a subsidiary of the GVC Holdings conglomerate.
The KSA’s case was bolstered by the presence of Dutch language content on Bwin’s website and their utilization of the “.nl” country code top-level domain. The evidence was undeniable.
While the KSA acknowledged the impending implementation of the Remote Gambling Act, legalizing online gambling on January 1, 2021, they stressed that operators could only provide such services after fulfilling strict licensing criteria.
Speaking of licenses, projections suggest that only around 90 online gambling permits will be issued. The KSA determined this figure based on expressions of interest and observations from other nations.
