The Netherlands' gambling authority, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has taken decisive action against illicit affiliate marketing, imposing significant penalty
The Netherlands’ gambling authority, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has taken decisive action against illicit affiliate marketing, imposing significant penalty payment orders on three holding companies. SBM Holding Group, Sun Block Media Labs 2.0, and JEF Holdings have been sanctioned for promoting illegal online gambling websites via the affiliate portal, Casinoscout.nl.
The investigation revealed that while Casinoscout.nl had previously promoted only operators licensed within the Dutch regulated market, its activities changed following a transfer of ownership to the three aforementioned parties in January 2025. Subsequently, the KSA discovered the site was actively advertising unlicensed operators, including Talksaspins.com, an entity whose parent company, LCS Limited, has previously faced enforcement action from the regulator.
A key factor in the KSA’s decision was the manner in which the illegal sites were promoted. The regulator noted that unlicensed brands were presented alongside fully licensed operators, a practice deemed highly likely to mislead and confuse consumers about the legality and safety of the offerings.
The KSA initially approached the three owners with a warning to cease their illegal promotional activities. According to the regulator, these warnings went unanswered. This lack of response prompted the KSA to escalate the matter by contacting the Foundation for Internet Domain Registration in the Netherlands to have Casinoscout.nl taken offline.
Despite a temporary takedown and an attempt by the owners to implement an IP block for Dutch visitors, the illegal advertisements reappeared once the site was back online. This continued non-compliance led to the site being permanently removed.
During its investigation, the KSA uncovered a second website, besteonlinecasinonederland.com, also owned by the three companies and similarly engaged in promoting illegal casino sites. The regulator deemed this a continued and deliberate violation of the Netherlands’ gambling regulations.
As a result of the persistent breaches, the KSA has proceeded with the formal penalty payment orders. Each of the three companies will be liable for a payment of €75,000 per week should they continue to promote illegal gambling websites, up to a maximum penalty of €225,000 for each firm. This enforcement action serves as a stark reminder of the KSA’s commitment to policing the affiliate marketing space and protecting the integrity of the regulated Dutch market.
