De Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the national gambling regulator of the Netherlands, has issued a warning to those in the illegal lottery trade after closing down a fake Facebook account.
The KSA published a statement stating that it had shut down Facebook and Instagram accounts after finding out that they were running illegal lottery operations..
The missive, posted on its website, stated: “At the request of the KSA, Facebook has removed the pages on which the illegal lotteries took place. It is now the first time that a fake account has been deleted.”
The regulator claims that the account cannot be traced back to any single individual, highlighting that it may not be legitimate.
Investigations were launched into the account amid concerns users were being scammed and that the lotteries were fake. KSA said there is no regulation of the lotteries and that there is no protection for under 18s and the vulnerable.
Currently, the only licensed commercial lottery in the Netherlands is Lotto Netherlands and KSA reserves the right to issue large fines to any unlicensed third party found to be creating lotteries.
The statement concluded: “The KSA takes action against illegal lotteries because there is no supervision possible. After all, the providers are not licensed. Is there really a prize, is the game fair, are participants not scammed, is it ensured that no minors can participate?
“The KSA ensures that participants in games of chance can do so safely.”
