The Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) has issued a record fine of €37 million against EOD Code SRL for providing unlicensed online gambling services to players in the Netherlands.
This significant enforcement action, announced on Thursday, stems from a thorough investigation that uncovered the company's unauthorized operations targeting Dutch users with a network of more than a dozen gambling websites.
Some of the platforms under EOD Code SRL include Instantcasino, Skyhills, Slotmonster, Betiro, Betblast, Fastslots, Goldenpanda, Sambaslots, Winningz, Incognitocasino, Foxygold, and Luckypays. These sites enabled Dutch residents to place bets despite the absence of a valid Dutch licence, thus violating national gambling regulations.
KSA inspectors determined that users could successfully make bets on several of these sites from within the Netherlands. This access violates rules mandating that licensed operators block Dutch users from unlicensed gambling channels.
The authority also highlighted several concerning factors regarding these websites. Many of them implemented inadequate or unclear age verification processes, which raise alarms about preventing underage gambling.
This issue has become increasingly pressing for the KSA. Earlier this year, Meryam Sümer, a politician from the Christian Democratic Party, proposed raising the minimum legal age for online gambling from 18 to 24 as a response to a concerning debt crisis in the country. With one in five young people in Enschede reportedly in debt, Sümer criticized the gambling industry's advertising as a factor contributing to the problem. "The key is to reduce temptations," she stated, advocating for tighter regulation to protect youth from exposure that could lead to gambling-related issues and debt.
In addition, the operator also allowed a variety of payment methods, including cryptocurrencies and anonymous channels, which the KSA warned heighten the risks of money laundering and complicate consumer protection compliance.
Under Dutch gambling law, the KSA has the authority to impose fixed administrative fines or opt for a fine based on revenue when illegal activities justify a higher penalty. In this case, the regulatory body estimated that EOD Code's significant earnings from Dutch bettors warranted a fine proportionate to its revenue, leading to the record €37 million penalty.
Despite this substantial fine, the KSA’s battle against illegal gambling continues to be an uphill fight. A recent Dutch study indicated that many popular generative AI applications are directing users to online gambling sites that lack valid Dutch licences. Researchers found that all ten examined tools, including ChatGPT, Claude, and Meta AI, referenced at least one unlicensed operator in discussions, sometimes responding to neutral or leading queries without any clear intent for research. Furthermore, four tools, including Mistral Le Chat, Google AI Mode, DeepSeek, and Grok, provided names of unlicensed sites after just a single question.
Kathryn Evans covers breaking news focused on EMEA and US legislation. A native of North Wales, she is fluent in Welsh and a lifelong fan of Wrexham FC, even before its recent media spotlight.
