The Dutch regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has upped its commitment to tackling illegal lotteries after entering into a new agreement with Facebook.
Through the partnership, KSA will report illegal online lotteries organised through the social media platform, known as ‘dipping’ in a bid to combat gambling promotion or activities that are in breach of Dutch law.
If the KSA reports an illegal lottery to Facebook, the social media platform is able to remove the group in question in line with its own guidelines.
The regulator stated that ‘for some time now’, it has received reports of illegal online lotteries organised through Facebook. Following 13 investigations into the matter, the KSA and Facebook empasised that they ‘did not wish to provide an opportunity for illegal activities’.
In its statement, the regulator noted that its collaboration with Facebook has already removed several groups which have been promoting illegal lotteries. This approach, according to the KSA, ‘is the fastest and most effective way to stop violations of the Gambling Act’.
Under Dutch law, games of chance such as lotteries – where participation must be paid for – may only be offered via a licensed operator.
However, the law, which dictates that at least 40% of all lottery proceedings should be donated to charity, prohibits companies from obtaining a permit if there ‘is a commercial objective’.
