This was the regulator’s first full-year annual report since the Netherland’s online gambling market opened in October 2021.
René Jansen, chair of KSA said that the year had presented many opportunities for improvement.
“In recent months, I have often been asked how I look back on 2022 as the first full
calendar year in which online games of chance were offered legally in the
Netherlands,” said Jansen “My short answer is: with mixed feelings.
“Much is going well, but as a supervisor I also see points where improvement is needed. Much still needs to be done – primarily among the licensees – to do full justice to our mission of Playing Safe.”
The regulator said that 277 preliminary investigations into illegal online websites took place in 2022. Out of this came 26 investigations into illegal online providers.
A total of 18 intention orders – subject to periodic penalty payments – were put in place throughout the year, which resulted in seven fines being issued totalling €29m.
KSA also noted that it received 83 notifications regarding illegal gambling advertisements on social media in 2022. This was 71% less than in 2021.
In total, 59 of these were investigated and violations were found in 16.
Applications for licences
KSA said that it had received 27 applications for online licences in 2022, compared to 42 in 2021.
Seven of these requests were withdrawn. KSA said this was because it had made it clear that the applications would not progress. Three applications were rejected.
In total, 13 online gaming licences were granted throughout the year.
Elsewhere, 45 permits were granted to operate slot machines in 2022. In total, 89 investigations into slot machines were completed and 26 of these took place on an interim basis with no further consequence.
Seven applications for slot machine permits were denied.
Turning to lotteries, KSA issued 24 licences in 2022 – 46.6% less than in 2021.
Five existing licences were revoked in 2022. KSA explained that this was because the licence holder had said that its lottery sales were “disappointing”.