KSA Issues Sanctions Over Illegal Casino Advertising
The Dutch gambling authority KSA has issued enforcement orders and penalty fines against three companies — SBM Holding Group, Sun Block Media Labs 2.0, and JEF Holdings — co-owners of the website Casinoscout.nl, for promoting unlicensed gambling operators.
Background of the Investigation
Since January 2025, Casinoscout.nl, which had previously only advertised licensed operators, changed ownership. After the ownership change, the website began promoting unlicensed online casinos, violating Dutch gambling laws.
Under Dutch legislation, it is illegal not only to offer unlicensed gambling services but also to advertise them. The new owners ignored a formal warning from the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), prompting the authority to take administrative action.
Enforcement Orders and Fines
The regulator issued orders to each of the three owners, outlining financial penalties as follows:
| Company | Weekly Fine | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| SBM Holding Group | €75,000 | €225,000 |
| Sun Block Media Labs 2.0 | €75,000 | €225,000 |
| JEF Holdings | €75,000 | €225,000 |
Owners’ Response
After receiving the initial warning, the companies failed to respond and continued their activities. In response, the regulator contacted Stichting Internet Domeinregistratie Nederland (SIDN) to temporarily disable the Casinoscout.nl domain.
The owners attempted to bypass the block by implementing IP restrictions for Dutch users. However, ads for unlicensed operators reappeared, leading to the permanent suspension of the website.
Ongoing Violations on Other Platforms
During the investigation, KSA officials discovered that the same companies also owned the website besteonlinecasinonederland.com, which similarly promoted unlicensed operators.
This indicated that the illegal activity had not ceased, and thus, the enforcement orders and fines apply to all related platforms owned by the companies.
Illegal Operators Promoted
Among the mentioned violations was the promotion of “Talksaspins.com”, a site that had previously been subject to enforcement measures.
What This Means for the Industry
- Dutch regulators are increasing oversight of online gambling advertising
- Violators can face significant penalties without court proceedings
- Attempts to evade enforcement actions are ineffective
- Both operators and affiliates are held accountable
Conclusion
The KSA continues to show strong commitment in combating illegal gambling and its promotion. Affiliate website owners must closely monitor their content and partnerships.
Any attempt to circumvent regulations or ignore enforcement orders may result in substantial financial penalties and domain suspensions.