MRG said in a press release on its corporate website that its Malta-based and licensed subsidiary Mr Green Ltd. has been imposed a €312,500 fine for targeting Dutch gambling customers without being authorized to do so. Mr Green’s six-figure fine arrives shortly after a subsidiary of rival gambling operator Betsson was slapped with a €300,000 fine for similar reasons.
MRG said in its press release from earlier today that its subsidiary has followed closely the guidelines for the provision of online gambling services in the Netherlands introduced by Kansspelautoriteit, the local regulator, with a single exception. The company went on that it has not implemented IP blocking for Dutch customers which eventually became the reason for its fine.
A statement by Kansspelautoriteit reads that the fine was imposed on July 17, 2018, but remained undisclosed as Mr Green brought the matter to court to seek reversal of the regulator’s decision. The Gaming Authority further revealed that the court has sided with it and thus gave the nod to the publication of information about the fine. MGR said in today’s press release that it would further appeal the matter, stating that it has not been the only company to block Dutch customers from its websites.
Betsson Decides to Appeal Its Fine
Corona Ltd., the company the bill was addressed to, owns and operates the Oranje Casino and Kroon Casino brands. Betsson announced earlier this week that its subsidiary has decided to appeal the fine and that if its move does not bring any positive outcome, it would refer the matter to court.
Earlier this year, Kansspelautoriteit imposed a €400,000 fine on German gambling operator bet-at-home for serving Dutch customers. The regulator has also slapped massive fines to multiple other companies over the years. However, it has not been able to collect those due to the Netherlands’ current gambling law, which does not provide the regulatory body with enough power.
It is also important to note that there has been an ongoing market re-regulation process in the country, although it has been progressing slowly. Based on discussions in the Dutch Parliament, there is a chance that operators that have previously been fined by Kansspelautoriteit might not be awarded licenses by the regulator once these become available.
This possibility has been discussed for some time in the country and a move of this kind has gained both quite some supporters and opponents. According to its opponents, it would have a massive negative impact on the channelization of players, once the local market is re-regulated in a manner that allows foreign companies to operate with licenses from Kansspelautoriteit.
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The post Dutch Gambling Regulator Slaps Mr Green with Hefty Fine appeared first on Casino News Daily.
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