The Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) has warned three unnamed operators for breaching sponsorship rules.
Tighter marketing regulations have been in force in the country since July 2023, while a further ban on sponsoring TV shows and events came into effect this July.
In turn, the regulator has warned three companies for deemed failings, although no financial penalty has been issued so far.
In the first case, the operator previously held a sponsorship deal with a “national event” – the name of which the KSA did not disclose – though the terms of that deal had since expired.
Despite this, the operator’s name continued to feature in promotional materials used by the event’s organisers, which has not been allowed since 1 July.
Following a KSA warning, the operator had its logo removed from all promotional materials in relation to the event.
In the second case, another unnamed operator sponsoring a major sporting event had its branding on display at a location that was used by children and young adults in the lead-up to the event.
The KSA determined this potentially put vulnerable groups at risk and reminded the firm it was the operator, not any third-party partners, which was responsible for where its branding appeared.
Finally, the third unnamed operator was reprimanded after T-shirts featuring a famous athlete and the firm’s logo appeared on an ecommerce site.
The shirts were made available in children’s sizes, which meant the operator had targeted a vulnerable group, according to the regulator.
The KSA said the operator took “immediate action” to ensure that all children’s sizes of the T-shirt no longer included the company logo.
In all three cases, the KSA reminded each operator involved of existing sponsorship regulations, and made clear that any further violations could lead to stricter action being taken.
The regulator also urged operators to ensure any third parties involved in future sponsorship deals must also follow the requirements when using any promotional materials.
Starting in July 2023, the Netherlands has restricted gambling ads in the market, starting with a ban on “untargeted” marketing which included TV, radio and out-of-home ads.
Twelve months later, the Dutch regulator enforced new rules regarding sponsorship which outline how gambling companies are banned from sponsoring television programmes and events.
From 1 July 2025, gambling companies will be no longer able to sponsor sports teams in the country.
The KSA’s release came a week after the Dutch government offered funding towards a specialist gambling centre aiming to deliver a “public health problem” approach to academia and research within the sector.
The post KSA issues warning to three unnamed operators after sponsorship breaches first appeared on EGR Intel.