The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has ordered Techno Offshore and Novatech to halt their operations immediately. If they do not comply, they will incur weekly fines of €280,000 (£232,732/$296,368), with a possible maximum fine of €840,000.
## Criticism for Techno Offshore’s Activities
KSA released a statement indicating that [Techno Offshore](https:///Users/robfletcher/Downloads/01-329-525_besluit_lod_techno_offshore_limited.pdf) has been unlawfully operating its nolimitbet.com and simplecasino.com platforms as it lacks the necessary license in the Netherlands, violating national laws.
In their April investigation, regulators discovered that players could register, deposit funds, and gamble on both sites, which featured illegal games of chance not allowed in the country, even under licensed conditions.
A follow-up test in June revealed that while existing KSA credentials could not be used to log in, new accounts could still be created to engage in gambling.
“During the follow-up inspection, any email addresses and account names linked to KSA were blocked,” stated KSA. “Nevertheless, other Netherlands-based names and email addresses were not obstructed.”
“KSA takes these actions very seriously, highlighting the provider’s intention to bypass KSA enforcement,” they added.
## Investigation Reveals More Illegal Novatech Websites
According to KSA, findings from a June inquiry into [Novatech](https://kansspelautoriteit.nl/aanpak-misstanden/sanctiebesluiten/novatech-solutions/) yielded similar conclusions. Regulators accessed its Qbet.com domain, which is operated by Novatech, and were able to set up accounts, deposit funds, and gamble. Again, the content offered included unlawful games of chance.
Upon revisiting the domain in September, KSA noted that Qbet.com had stopped operations in the country. However, Novatech was discovered to be operating several alternative sites, such as 55bet.com, in its stead.
Officers could, once more, access these sites, set up accounts, and gamble, thus breaching Dutch law.
Both companies are now required to discontinue their activities in the Netherlands or face the weekly fines imposed by KSA.
## Firm Response from KSA Chief
In response to both cases, KSA chair Michel Groothuizen pledged strong measures against illegal operations in the country.
“Illegal operators often employ sophisticated tactics,” Groothuizen stated. “Some providers, lacking a KSA license, genuinely attempt to exclude Dutch players, but numerous others appear indifferent.”
“For instance, operations often cease after our inspection but aggressively resume under a different site of the same provider. Therefore, we take strict action against those blatantly flouting regulations,” Groothuizen explained.
“A penalty payment order lets us swiftly halt offerings, and we reserve the right to impose substantial fines for the same breach,” he added.
These cases add to a series of recent KSA judgments. Earlier this week, KSA fined Blue High House €1.1 million for offering online gambling in the Netherlands without the necessary license.
KSA reported that Blue High House violated Dutch regulations by offering games without a local permit. Typically, such infractions attract a basic fine of €600,000, but the circumstances led to a nearly double penalty.
This marks the second financial penalty this year for Blue High House by KSA. [A €129,000 fine in June](https://igamingbusiness.com/legal-compliance/dutch-penalties-lcs-blue-high-house/) was also related to operations conducted without regulatory approval.