The Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA) has issued Betnation with a warning for failing to perform checks on players registered with the Cruks self-exclusion system between January and March this year.
Under the Cruks framework, online gambling providers are required to check whether a player is listed on the country’s self-exclusion register before allowing them to sign-up, or continue to play, on the platform.
Betnation is alleged to have kept the accounts of several self-excluded people active after failing to check their status with Cruks.
According to the KSA, Betnation claimed the missed checks were due to a technical error in its automated checking system.
After the error was revealed, Betnation said checks were then performed manually, but that it was unable to determine the Cruks status of several individuals during the period.
Betnation then self-reported the incident to the KSA, introduced measures to correct the failing and avoid recurrence and financially compensated those who were affected by the error.
The regulator confirmed it had considered the operator’s prompt actions to remedy the issue when deciding an appropriate penalty for the failing, concluding a warning was sufficient in this instance.
The operator also saidit would use its responsible gaming partners to explore what other forms of support could be given to the affected individuals, such as “assistance, care or a course”.
There are currently 118,000 people listed on the Cruks self-exclusion register.
The regulator said: “The KSA expects all providers to carry out Cruks checks correctly.
“Providers are themselves responsible for a properly functioning control system and must immediately report and resolve technical problems. The KSA will continue to closely monitor this.”
The warning comes days after the Dutch government launched a five-year strategy aimed at reducing gambling-related harm.
The proposals, outlined in a letter from the state secretary for justice and security, Claudia van Bruggen, include a near-total online gambling ad ban.
On Monday, 15 June, the KSA reprimanded TOTO Online over a sponsorship deal with football clubs which was in violation of the ban on the use of role models in gambling firms’ marketing materials.
Earlier this month, EGR revealed that KSA pulled out of provisionally awarding registered charity BetBlocker the contract to provide gambling blocking software to Dutch citizens. The U-turn came after a legal objection from privately owned rival Gamban.
The post Dutch regulator issues warning to Betnation over self-exclusion failures first appeared on EGR Intel.
KSA opts for a warning in light of remedial measures taken by the operator while emphasising the responsibility providers have for a robust system for checking Cruks register
The post Dutch regulator issues warning to Betnation over self-exclusion failures first appeared on EGR Intel.