Kansspelautoriteit, also known by its acronym KSA, is the official Dutch gaming regulator. The institution recently launched a fresh investigation to root out illegal websites. This crackdown comes only a few months before the online advertisement ban is booted, and license holders will be free to market their products to gamblers.
The KSA indicated that now is the perfect time to investigate since the market is opening. Many illegal operators and advertisers will be difficult to catch once the restrictions are lifted and the body wants to seize them before they can even take off.
This kind of investigation is usually normal and runs from time to time to keep the industry in check. The most recent operation targeted 44 websites, 26 of which were found with online advertisements. Most of these pages were confronted by the KSA, demanding that they remove the ads and receive no further penalty.
However, three of these sites are still being investigated, which could lead to severe repercussions. An operator licensed by the Curacao Government was also found to be providing online gambling services to Dutch citizens, which is illegal. The site was fined €600,000 in January.
The Remote Gambling Act was enacted on 1st April 2021, allowing casino operators, game studios, and other gambling entities to apply for a permit to offer and market online gambling products. Any parties granted the license can advertise their products from 1st October 2021. The KSA has since received 28 license applications and aims to have issued 35 by the time October rolls by. Providing the service without a permit remains illegal.
The Netherlands depends on Kansspelautoriteit to regulate both the online and offline gambling sectors within its borders. With the significant rise of online gambling, the KSA seeks to get a grip of the activity and manage its distribution and growth. While online gambling is a fun indulgence, it has ugly downsides like addiction, money laundering, and other fraudulent activities. This Dutch gaming regulator seeks to protect citizens from exposure to such issues by putting standards in place that any operator must abide by when offering services in the region.
Be On the Lookout
While the KSA has excellent measures to ensure that the online gambling industry is regulated, it cannot catch every fly in its trap. Therefore, players must be keen when indulging in the services to ensure they are from an ideal destination. Punters may not have the expertise or programs to determine the quality of a casino’s inner workings, but several telltales sit on the surface that can be very telling, including;
- Operating license
The first thing to check for is a Kansspelautoriteit license. No website can provide or advertise gambling products to Dutch players without the KSA stamp of approval. Therefore, if you run into one that doesn’t hold the permit, move on to other options. This information is usually included at the bottom of the landing page, alongside the license number and additional vital information.
- Independent testers’ approval
While the Netherlands depends on Kansspelautoriteit to license its online casinos, there are independent RNG testing firms that operate globally whose word also holds water. These firms test and approve the random number generators used in games. TST, eCOGRA, iTech Labs, and GLI are the most common ones. Their seals can also be found at the bottom of gambling sites alongside the KSA licenses.
- Bonuses and promotions
Bonuses are a fun way to build a bankroll with some extra funds from the casino they are claimed. Incentives like welcome offers, no deposit bonuses, low deposit bonuses and reload packages can be found on almost every Dutch gaming site. Singling out the best incentives does not mean the ones with the most significant amounts. While the cash and freebies should be reasonable, the attached terms and conditions require the most attention. The best boons have low playthrough terms, lenient shelf life, and accessibility to games that appeal to the claimer’s style.
- Security
Real money gamblers have to worry about more than just losing funds when gambling. All websites require punters to create accounts and deposit into them to access actual cash games. The proper security measures ensure that hackers do not get to the personal and banking information used to open accounts. Most websites use SSL encryption of 128 bits or more to secure their services.
- Client care
The customer support team comes in handy whenever an issue arises with the casino services. They can also open the door to exclusive bonuses for players that ask. Accordingly, a responsive client care team makes or breaks a gambling den. Check how many channels are available to contact the team and how long it takes to get responses on each one. Most reputable gambling dens also include a detailed FAQ section that provides answers to common queries.
- Partnered software developers
A gambling club is only as good as the studios behind the games featured in their portfolios. Each online gambling software developer has a unique way of creating sets, and some excel in the field more than others. Lean towards gambling dens partnered with software developers revered in the business like NetEnt and Microgaming.
- Game collection
Games are the most attractive element of casinos, and they are usually provided in the hundreds or even thousands on a single gaming site. Determining the kind of games to play beforehand makes it easy to pinpoint an ideal gaming site. Choose a casino with a vast array of options to make exploration easier when looking for new, entertaining games.
- Website design
A casino could hold a valid license from Kansspelautoriteit and partner with the best software developers but not be recommendable due to bad design. The best gambling dens are user-friendly, with each section flowing into the next one seamlessly. That way, one can go from the games to the bonus pages without difficulty. Also, it should adjust according to the gadget being used. The wide-screen design used on PCs does not cut it for mobile devices, and the site should take that into account.
Verdict
Dutch players have only a few months to go to access online gambling services once more. This time, the industry will have more responsibility in applying standards that safeguard players from the dangers of illegal gambling.
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