Netherlands Gambling Authority Penalizes Kindred With €470,000

Accepting bets from Dutch customers turns out to be a costly gamble for Trannel International Ltd, a Kindred Group subsidiary. The online gambling company has been fined by Kansspelautoriteit (Netherlands Gambling Authority) and is required to pay EUR 470,000 for violating the country’s 1964 Gambling Act.

The KSA has taken similar actions against online gaming operators in the past 18 months, including a €350,000 fine to Electraworks for offering illegal online casino services, as well as the recent crackdown on marketers who promote iGaming against the current regulations.

The Malta-based online gambling operator, who consists of 11 brands, such as Unibet and 32Red, has published a press release, saying that it is “fully compliant with the rules set out by the Ministry of Justice and Security earlier this year.”

The rest of the statement reads:

“Kindred remains committed to having a constructive dialogue with the regulator and other stakeholders. While anticipating the establishment of a regulated online gambling market in 2021, Kindred aims to play a leading role in promoting Dutch gambling policy objectives, such as consumer protection. For instance, Kindred emphasises its ambition to reach zero per cent revenue from harmful gambling by 2023.”

First Remote Licenses Not Before 2021

Even though the Remote Gambling Bill was released on February 19th, 2019 by the Dutch Senate itself, it is expected that the first remote licenses can be issued in Q1 2021.

The operator is looking forward to obtaining a license in sports betting, but it also remains committed to acquiring a permit in iGaming, as soon as the market is established. Kindred’s decision to appeal the KSA ruling represents the company’s undisputed commitment to consumer protection, which is critical for ensuring a successful and regulated online market.

Back in June, the company’s subsidiary Unibet went live in New Jersey and became UK’s first operator to integrate blocking software into self-exclusion process. However, Trannel International Ltd has been ordered to terminate all operations in Norway back in April 2019, again for violating the state’s gambling rules.

iDEA Growth 25th Member

On top of everything else, at the beginning of August, the gambling operator has ed a trade association that represents all sectors of the growing online gaming and entertainment industry in the United States.

Liv Biesemans, deputy general counsel, stated on that occasion:

“Kindred Group is delighted to iDEA and contribute more than 20 years of experience gained from global markets. We have continuously advocated for fact-based policy making, and with our core focus on sustainability and responsible gambling, we believe we can make a meaningful contribution to iDEA.”

Biesemans has also concluded that for Kindred, it is utterly significant to be a part of an organization that “uses its unified voice to ensure that the customer will experience a safe, regulated and sustainable gambling experience.” The of iDEA Growth primarily work on shaping and ing a sustainable federal legislation.

Source:

“Kindred Group penalised by the Netherlands Gambling Authority based on the 1964 Gambling Act”, kindredgroup.com, August 19, 2019.