Two more operators penalised for unlicensed activity in Netherlands

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Dutch regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has warned Techno Offshore Limited and Novatech Solutions NV that they could face financial penalties after both operators were found to be offering online gambling in the country without a licence.

KSA has requested Techno Offshore and Novatech cease activity immediately. Should they fail to comply, KSA will impose weekly penalty payments of €280,000 (£232,732/$296,368), up to a maximum of €840,000.

Techno Offshore blasted for lack of blocking

A KSA statement said Techno Offshore has been running its Nolimitbet.com and Simplecasino.com websites illegally as Techno Offshore does not hold a local licence and thus is in breach of national law in the Netherlands.

During an initial investigation into Techno Offshore in April, the regulator found players could create an account, deposit and gamble on both websites. Content on offer included games of chance, which are not permitted in the country, even through licensed operators.

Following this up with a further test in June, KSA said it was not able to log in using existing credentials. However, officers were able to make new accounts and access gambling activities.

“During a follow-up investigation, all email addresses and account names that could be traced back to KSA were blocked,” KSA said. “However, other names and email addresses from the Netherlands were not.

“The KSA takes this very seriously. The provider clearly shows that it wants to circumvent enforcement by the KSA.”

KSA probe uncovers more illegal websites from Novatech

In the case of Novatech , KSA said that findings from a June investigation had similar results.

Officers could access its Qbet.com domain, which is operated by Novatech, and create an account, deposit and gamble. Again, content available to players included illegal games of chance.

Upon revisiting the site in September, KSA said that Qbet.com had ceased operations in the country. However, it discovered Novatech was running several other websites in its place, including 55bet.com

Like with Qbet.com, officers could access the site, create accounts and gamble, including online games of chance. Both incidents were deemed breaches of Dutch law.

Both operators must now cease activities in the Netherlands or face the weekly penalty from KSA.

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