The Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA) has warned 711 BV, a provider of online games of chance, for showing gambling ads on a website aimed at minors. The warning followed a report from a parent who saw an advertising banner from 711 on a website linked to homework assignments from primary schools.

By law, gambling providers are not allowed to advertise to vulnerable groups, including minors. This form of advertising is considered by the KSA to be very harmful and therefore a serious violation. Taking action against such advertising and taking extra care to protect minors and young adults will be a priority for the KSA in 2025.

The 711 advertising campaign was carried out by an external partner. This party placed banners on various websites, including sites that are (partly) aimed at minors. In a conversation with the KSA, 711 indicated that it had already discovered this itself after an internal investigation and had taken measures to prevent recurrence. The provider did not report this, but should have done so: licensees are obliged to inform the KSA of errors on their part that could pose a danger to consumers.

The KSA dealt with the violation with a warning, because 711 itself had discovered and ended the violation and taken measures to prevent recurrence.

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has issued a warning to operators, reminding them that failure to submit regulatory returns on time may lead to penalties and further enforcement actions.

The warning follows a spate of fines against operators who have failed to submit a regulatory return in the required timeframes for each type of activity for which they hold a licence.

Since October more than ten businesses have been fined up to £750 for not correctly completing and submitting regulatory returns within the required timeframe.

John Pierce, Commission Director of Enforcement, said: “Despite early engagement and the issuing of advice notices, further failures to comply with the regulatory returns process were identified in these cases. Operators are expected to understand their reporting obligations and must ensure returns are submitted on time via our online portal.”

“Repeated breaches and persistent non-compliance is likely to result in escalating enforcement action.”

On 1 July 2024, Licence Condition 15.3.1 – General and regulatory returns of the Licence Conditions Codes of Practice was updated to require all licensees to submit regulatory returns on a quarterly basis replacing the previous annual basis.

The next quarterly returns are due by 28 April 2025 and can be submitted via the eServices digital service on the UKGC’s website.