The Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) has intensified its collaboration with sports associations and clubs to combat illegal gambling advertising. Since the implementation of the ban on untargeted advertising, the KSA has been monitoring advertising by gambling companies more closely. To combat illegal advertising in sports, the KSA is working more closely with sports organisations.
Consultation with sports associations and clubs
After the ban on sports sponsorship came into effect, the KSA (Dutch Sports Federation) wrote to all sports associations about their responsibilities in this regard. The KSA found no significant violations by license holders after the ban was implemented. However, the regulator noted that confusion can arise, for example, when foreign clubs play with the logo of a legal sponsor in that country on their shirts. The KSA supports sports organisations where possible by explaining the rules and providing input on their application.
Positive examples
Several matches have shown that clubs are making efforts to correctly implement the ban. For example, Olympiacos Piraeus played in the CEV Cup match (volleyball) against Draisma Dynamo in Apeldoorn wearing shirts without the logo of a foreign gambling provider.
Consultations were held with the KNVB (Royal Dutch Football Association) before the match between AZ and Jagiellonia Białystok on December 18. The shirts displayed a logo from a score website. This logo differed significantly from that of the gambling provider, and the name was also different. Furthermore, no references to gambling services were found on the score website.
The KSA also sees matches in which players play with blank shirts or with shirts from its own foundation.
Extra supervision at international competitions
There were also situations where the rules were not met. Following matches like the Ajax vs. Internazionale and Go Ahead Eagles vs. Stuttgart matches, letters were sent to the clubs involved. A banner from an unlicensed gambling provider was visible during the Go Ahead Eagles vs. Stuttgart match. However, this gambling provider was not visible in the stadium itself or in the regular Dutch TV broadcast. For international matches, various image recordings are used, which can include virtual billboards. For the Dutch market, the gambling provider was replaced by an alternative advertisement. When distributing a summary in the Netherlands, part of the imagery in which the sponsor message was visible was mistakenly used. As a result, clubs and associations were again reminded of the importance of due care in international productions and summaries.
Continued attention
The KSA continues to consult with sports associations and clubs in the coming period and actively monitor compliance with the ban on untargeted advertising by gambling providers. Enforcement action will be taken where necessary. With this approach, the KSA contributes to a sports environment free of advertising for (illegal) gambling services.
