**Dutch Regulator Cracks Down on Betting on Unauthorized Sports Events**
The Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) recently discovered that several licensed gambling operators have been taking bets on numerous unauthorized sports events, including youth football matches. The KSA completed its investigation without disclosing the names of the involved bookmakers. However, it uncovered markets for betting on youth football and amateur competitions.
The regulators identified that gamblers placed bets on specific components of these games, such as the number of corners and cards issued during matches. Under current regulations, operators are forbidden from creating betting markets for youth football due to a perceived “increased risk of manipulation.”
A total of seven operators were implicated in offering betting options on fixtures where the athletes were aged 21 or younger. Out of these, two operators were specifically found to offer wagers on particular match events, like corners and yellow cards. The KSA reported that this violation occurred multiple times throughout the 2023-2024 season.
All implicated companies have been instructed to halt these prohibited offerings. Additionally, operators yet to report such violations are urged to stay vigilant and report any similar incidents to the KSA. The Dutch regulator announced plans to continue monitoring the operators to ensure compliance with the cease-and-desist directives.
Since the regulated market’s inception in 2021, the KSA has banned betting on certain sports events and specific markets within them to mitigate match-fixing risks. The governing body considers players under 21 more susceptible to manipulation and, as such, prohibits betting on their matches. Similarly, specific elements like corners and the display of cards are viewed as higher match-fixing risks.
In parallel developments, the KSA has intensified its efforts to tackle unlicensed operators. On November 29, it imposed penalty payment orders on two unlicensed entities. These include Techno Offshore Limited, operating sites like simplecasino.com and nolimitbet.com, and Novatech Solutions, responsible for qbet.com and 55bet.com, both ordered to “immediately cease their offerings.”