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Fines from the Kansspelautoriteit
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A few weeks ago we wrote about the evolution of the UK Gambling Comission. Now, let’s take a look at the Netherlands. So far, 2019 has been a lucrative year for the ‘Kansspelautoriteit’, the Dutch gaming authority. All fines were raised, and 11 casinos received such a fine. In 2018, a total of 1.9 million euros was collected in fines; this year, more than 3.5 million has been collected to date. It seems that the Dutch gaming authority is cleaning house before the legalization of online gaming takes off in January 2021. By the time the newly adopted gambling law is in effect, only casinos and gaming websites with a license from the Kansspelautoriteit can offer their services to Dutch citizens. This is good news for the Dutch: unreliable providers of online games are cracked down on and will later be excluded from the market altogether.
To maximize its effectiveness, the Kansspelautoriteit prioritizes websites that overtly offer their services to Dutch players. According to its own rules, the gaming authority watches for availability to Dutch players, offering the Dutch language on the website or appealing to Dutch players through imagery, and including the exclusively Dutch payment option iDeal. Although many other websites are still accessible to Dutch players, those websites that do not overtly cater to the Dutch market are not the priority for the Kansspelautoriteit.
Which online casinos were fined in 2019?
So far, 9 casinos were fined in 2019. The first fine this year came in February. Exinvest and 1X Corp were fined 400,000 euros. The gambling sites from these enterprises could be accessed from Dutch IP addresses, they offered the payment service iDeal, and used Dutch language on their websites. After a thorough research, it turned out these providers offered 83 other online casinos.
Well-known Casumo was fined in April. This provider, too, was available from Dutch IP addresses and offered the iDeal payment method. The terms and conditions explained that players from the Netherlands could not create a player account, which in practice proved to pose no problems at all. Casumo was fined 310,000 euros.
Casino.com also received a fine in April: this provider had to pay 200,000 euros for offering online games to the Dutch market. Because the company was fined before, the initial fine was doubled. Casino.com was also fined 50,000 euros for charging excessive administrative fees for inactive players. The total amount charged was 450,000 euros.
In June, the Kansspelautoriteit assessed provider Simbat and promotor Spinity. Simbat received a 270,000 euro fine for offering online gambling games. Spinity didn’t offer any such games itself, but was fined 100,000 euros for promoting these games.
BWin followed in August. Their fine totaled 350,000 euros and was based on offering online gambling opportunities to Dutch players, depositing money into a player account using iDeal, and offering live betting options.
The ‘award’ for highest fine goes to Unibet. Their website offered Dutch players the opportunity to place live sports bets and casino games. This provider, too, offered the iDeal payment method, and their customer support through live chat had a Dutch language option. The total fine was 470,000 euros.
The second to last fine to date went to The Stars Group, known for the online poker lobby Pokerstars. The Kansspelautoriteit fined TSG 400,000 euros for offering online games for real money. Although poker is seen as a game of skill rather than a game of chance, Dutch law does not make this distinction. The highest judicial power in the Netherlands ruled poker a game of chance in 1998.
In October, the Kansspelautoriteit announced fines for Royal Panda and LeoVegas. Both of these websites were available from Dutch IP addresses and offered the iDeal payment option. Royal Panda was fined 400,000 euros, whereas LeoVegas got off with a ‘mere’ 350,000 euros.
Raising the fines
To strengthen the efforts of the Kansspelautoriteit, fines were raised to further deter websites from offering their games to the Dutch market. The base payment went up from 150,000 euros to 200,000 euros. The final fine depends on a number of circumstances:
- The number of active websites
- The number of available games
- The presence of live betting options
- The amount in the jackpot or prize pool
- How much can be deposited or bet
- The size of a welcome bonus or other promotions and the presence of a VIP program
- Charging administrative fees to inactive players
- Providing false information to players about gambling licenses
When a casino offers live betting options (betting while a match is going on), the base fine is always raised by 75,000 euros. The same amount applies to providing false information about gambling licenses and charging administrative fees for inactive players. The current fine policy can be viewed here (Dutch).
The Kansspelautoriteit announced more measures going forward; the entire fining policy is projected to be overhauled.
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: Fines from the Kansspelautoriteit

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HIPTHER Enters Next-Level Operations Era: E-Residency, Flexibility, Tech & Collaboration
HIPTHER, the innovative events organiser and media hub behind renowned boutique conferences and online news platforms for the iGaming and Technology industries, is thrilled to announce its new, dynamic era of operations.
Staying true to its international character, HIPTHER breaks free from geographical and logistical limitations by becoming an e-resident company of Estonia and embracing a fully remote work model built on trust, flexibility, and technology.
Estonian E-Residency: A Logical Step Forward for HIPTHER
With a strong focus on innovation, digitalisation, and entrepreneurship, Estonia has long been at the forefront of e-governance. For HIPTHER, a company operating across borders with a digital-first mindset, joining the Estonian e-Residency programme was not just a strategic move – it was the natural next step.
The e-Residency allows HIPTHER to maintain a fully online EU-based company, benefiting from Estonia’s transparent business environment, streamlined administration, and modern legal framework. It enables the team to manage operations more efficiently, with secure access to digital services and the freedom to work from anywhere in the world.
Estonia’s global-first approach mirrors HIPTHER’s own values: agility, decentralisation, and forward-thinking, making this alignment more than practical; it’s philosophical. With its new base in the digital nation, HIPTHER further amplifies its mission to connect industries, foster innovation, and redefine how modern companies operate and grow.
Remote Work Model: Trust, Flexibility, Collaboration in a Tech-forward Era
Supported by e-Residency and the innovative mindset echoed across HIPTHER’s conferences, virtual events, and media outlets – which cover cutting-edge industries such as Gaming, Fintech, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and beyond – the #hipthers are now able to collaborate fully remotely.
Following technological advancements and staying true to its human-centric values of wellness, balance, trust, and originality, HIPTHER takes a bold leap toward remote work – where others can’t or won’t.
From managing international summits and awards to running online media and virtual panels, HIPTHER has long relied on digital infrastructure, and now turns this into a permanent advantage.
Zoltan Tuendik, HIPTHER’s Co-Founder & Head of Business, shared his thoughts behind this big next step for the company: “We believe in building a future where innovation, flexibility, and human-centric values guide everything we do. For several years now, our team has been working across borders, embracing remote collaboration and digital-first operations. With this step we’re solidifying and elevating a way of working that’s already part of our DNA. Becoming an e-resident company empowers us to bring lasting change and sets the stage for our next chapter of global impact.”
Join the #hipthers Journey – We’re Hiring!
HIPTHER is growing, and we’re on the lookout for passionate, creative, and driven individuals to join our fully remote team. If you’re excited about working across dynamic industries like iGaming, Tech, Blockchain, and more, we want to hear from you!
Open Positions:
- Social Media & Audience Engagement Lead
- Virtual Events & Community Coordinator
👉 Check out the openings here – send us your CV and a short intro to:
[email protected] or [email protected]
We look forward to hearing from you!
The post HIPTHER Enters Next-Level Operations Era: E-Residency, Flexibility, Tech & Collaboration appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Midnite launches in-stadium £1,000 giveaway for Sheffield United and Southampton fans at every home league game
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Brace Yourself campaign gives supporters chance to win at every home league match
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Cash prize awarded every time a home player scores two goals
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Midnite will match winning prize pot with charitable donation
Fast-growing UK sportsbook Midnite will give Sheffield United and Southampton fans the chance to net £1,000 at every home league match throughout the new season.
Midnite is the front-of-shirt sponsor for Sheffield United and the back-of-shirt sponsor for Southampton and is launching the Brace Yourself campaign for supporters of both clubs.
It means every time a home player scores twice – a brace – one lucky member of the matchday crowd will grab a grand or possibly more – if no brace is scored, the prize pool will roll over to the next home match.
Midnite will also match the prize pool with a donation to charity close to each club.
Fans at Bramall Lane and St Mary’s can enter by scanning QR codes placed around the stadiums and in the matchday programmes and a seat number will be drawn at random before kick-off.
Brace Yourself kicks off on Saturday (August 9) when Southampton host Wrexham and Sheffield United entertain Bristol City.
Andrew Mook, Midnite’s Head of Brand Marketing, said: “We want fans to be on the edge of their seats throughout the season.
“When a home player scores a brace in the EFL Championship this season, Midnite will reward one lucky fan with a cash prize giveaway. Starting off at £1,000 and rolling over each week if there isn’t a winner, the excitement should build throughout the campaign.
“Midnite will also match the fan prize and donate the same amount to a local charity, in a bid to repay some of the amazing work that they do within the local community.”
Midnite’s Brace Yourself campaign is open to fans aged 18 and older.
The post Midnite launches in-stadium £1,000 giveaway for Sheffield United and Southampton fans at every home league game appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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This marks a new phase in Betsson’s long-standing partnership with the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL). Since 2017, the Betsafe brand has served as the league’s title sponsor, supporting the continued development of professional basketball in the country. Earlier this year, Betsafe in Lithuania was rebranded to Betsson.
A refreshed visual identity for the league has also been unveiled, marking the beginning of this new chapter.
“This step allows us to further strengthen our position in the market, offer customers the benefits of our technology platform, and continue upholding high standards of responsible gaming,” said Aurimas Šilys, Head of Betsson Lithuania.
“We are grateful for a partnership that goes beyond branding. Our work with Betsson Group is rooted in a shared vision – to develop a top-tier basketball league in Lithuania that inspires fans and players alike,” said Rasa Liuimienė, General Director of the LKL.
The upcoming Betsson-LKL season will officially commence in autumn 2025.
The post Lithuanian Basketball League Becomes Betsson-LKL from 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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