The Dutch Gambling Authority (Kansspelautoriteit, KSA) has reinforced its stance against autoplay in online gambling, making it clear that the feature is not allowed in the Netherlands. Autoplay, which enables automatic bets without manual input, is prohibited due to concerns over gambling addiction.
The latest crackdown follows an incident involving an online roulette table where autoplay was reportedly in use. The KSA intervened after receiving information that the feature had not been removed, leading to immediate regulatory action.
The KSA sent a informing them that autoplay must be disabled and Dutch gambling legislation adhered to. The roulette game involved will be inspected prior to the release of the game to players once again. This action guarantees that autoplay is completely eliminated and avoided further.
The regulator has consistently maintained a strict approach to responsible gambling, and this latest action demonstrates its commitment to enforcing the rules. Operators found violating these regulations risk severe penalties.
In Dutch gaming regulations, autoplay is a risk feature that favors over-gaming. By avoiding the necessity for manual intervention, it can initiate non-stop gaming without deliberate action, which aggravates the odds of addiction.
The Netherlands has some of the strictest gambling regulations in Europe, with measures in place to protect players from harm. The KSA actively monitors the industry, taking swift action against any breaches of responsible gambling policies.
The autoplay crackdown is accompanied by the KSA’s concerns over sports betting integrity as well. Recently, KSA reported a rise in suspicious betting patterns, raising alarms in the sports betting sector. The report, prepared by the Sports Betting Intelligence Unit (SBIU) of the KSA, targets report of suspected match-fixing received from licensed online betting operators.
The KSA does not investigate match-fixing directly but ensures that operators have adequate safeguards. The Sports Betting Intelligence Unit analyses reports and works with stakeholders to maintain fair play.
The report highlights a rise in reported cases compared to 2023, with 13 reports focusing on unusual betting patterns, potentially risky matches, and strange odds changes. Most reports involved tennis, followed by football and basketball. In 2024, licensed operators reported more than twice as many match-fixing cases compared to the six reports in 2023.
Following these reports, the to unnamed operators in mid-2024. KSA also suggests the increase is due to heightened awareness and urges continued vigilance to differentiate match-fixing. The Dutch authority is creating guidance to strengthen understanding and improve the quality of match-fixing reporting from sports betting providers.
The Netherlands has maintained a highly regulated online gambling environment since legalising the market in 2021. The KSA’s enforcement actions highlight the strict measures in place to ensure responsible gaming and prevent illegal practices.