The Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) has fined Casino Zoetermeer after two self-excluded customers were allowed into its gaming hall to place wagers. It originally imposed a €25,000 penalty following an investigation launched in 2022.
A court later reduced the fine to €21,500 after ruling that the enforcement process had taken longer than a reasonable period. Publication of the sanction was delayed while the casino sought emergency legal protection. However, the KSA rejected the operator’s objections and the court dismissed its appeal against the regulator’s findings.
The investigation began after two individuals questioned the casino’s identity verification procedures. Regulators later confirmed that both customers were registered with Cruks when they entered the venue.
Cruks remains central to the Netherlands’ player protection strategy
Cruks is the Central Register for Exclusion from Gambling for licensed operators, gaming halls and casinos across the Netherlands. Before allowing customers to gamble, operators must verify their identity and confirm they are not listed on the exclusion register.
Anyone who registers voluntarily is excluded for a minimum of six months, during which licensed operators must deny access. The register has expanded rapidly to around 118,000 people compared with just over 60,900 at the end of 2023.
A government commissioned review published last year concluded that Cruks has been effective at preventing registered individuals from accessing licensed platforms. However, it also highlighted slow compulsory registration procedures and noted that some land-based gambling products stay outside Cruks coverage.
Enforcement extends across multiple compliance failures
This case is one of several recent enforcement actions involving Dutch gambling operators.
Unibet received a €400,000 fine in December 2024 over Cruks related failures, while Betnation was issued a warning after missing mandatory customer checks. The regulator has also targeted duty-of-care breaches involving 711 and LeoVegas, plus a €3 million penalty against Chestoption for offering unlicensed gambling.
KSA chairman Michel Groothuizen has also proposed adding individuals under curatorship to Cruks, even if they show no signs of gambling harm.
TonyBet removes World Cup campaign after regulatory intervention
In a separate case, the KSA ordered TonyBet to withdraw a World Cup advertisement featuring people with similar appearances, shirt numbers and national team kits to well-known footballers.
Dutch gambling advertising rules prohibit operators from using role models or recognisable references to public figures.
TonyBet removed the campaign immediately and prevented it from returning, so the regulator did not issue a penalty.
Explore more:
Share 
41 views 
Analysis 
Business 
Companies 
Crime 
Finance 
M&A 
Prediction Markets 
Regulation 
Reports