Signed by Kansspelautoriteit CEO Marja Appelman, the letter contained information about the current state of the Netherlands’ online gambling market, and requested assistance and cooperation from fellow gambling regulators as the country is cracking down on unregulated operations.
The Dutch gaming regulator also provided clarity over its use of the terms “illegal”, “unlicensed”, and “unregulated”, by saying that in the context of nation’s gambling industry these are used for any activity that is not permitted under the Dutch Betting and Gaming Act. Under the country’s existing gambling law, the provision of games of chance via the Internet is illegal, and so are the activities of international online gambling operators targeting local players.
The regulator also warned that some of the gambling companies licensed by its fellow regulatory bodies in other countries could be subjected to fines and other penalties in the Netherlands, if they are found to be acting in breach of established gambling regulations in the nation.
In a somewhat surprising move, Kansspelautoriteit introduced last summer a set of new rules under which the provision of gambling services was to be conducted from that point on. In general, the new regulations ban unlicensed operators from targeting Dutch players through the use of Dutch national symbols, including tulips and windmills, as well as through gambling-oriented websites with a .nl extension.
In its letter, Kansspelautoriteit asked its fellow regulators to warn their licensees that the provision of online gaming services without a license from the Dutch regulator is illegal in the Netherlands, and that they should comply with rules or otherwise face enforcement actions.
Kansspelautoriteit also encouraged gambling companies to block Dutch IP addresses and prevent Dutch players from opening accounts with their websites. Thus, they can avoid penalties and legal actions from the gambling regulator, the letter further read.
Regulatory Progress
Lawmakers and gambling regulators have recently expressed optimism that the much-needed actions will be undertaken this year and that the new law will take effect at the beginning of 2019.
The new regulatory system will give Kansspelautoriteit the authority to issue licenses to interested international operators and to regulate the industry in a socially responsible manner.
The post Dutch Gambling Authority Turns to Fellow Regulators for Regulatory Assistance appeared first on Casino News Daily.
Two events on the US Poker Open schedule are now complete, and while Justin Bonomo took down the first one (a $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em), Mike Gorodinsky topped a tough final table to win the second tournament – the $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha. 
The first elimination of the final table occurred four levels after action began. US poker pro Cary Katz left in sixth place for $38,400. Andrejevic was the next to go, good for $51,200. Three-time WPT winner Anthony Zinno busted in fourth place for $64,000. He was followed by Rainer Kempe, who left in third place for $83,200. 
Canadian player Eric Afriat won last night the 2018 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open $3,500 Championship for a first-place prize of $651,928 and his second WPT Main Tour title. The player emerged victorious after entering the event’s six-handed final table as the short stack and overcoming huge chip disadvantage. 
Afriat faced Justin Zaki heads-up. The two-handed match began with the latter holding massive chip lead over his last remaining opponent. The two players battled it out for precisely 100 hands before the name of the champion became clear. 
