The gaming regulator of the Netherlands, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has issued a $10,000 fine to the Dutch lottery operator, Lotto, a subsidiary brand of Nederlandse Loterij (NLO), after it placed advertisements for its EuroJackpot game on girlscene.nl, a website primarily aimed towards minors.
Dutch legislation prohibits the targeting of games of chance advertising at minors because they are particularly vulnerable to developing a gambling addiction at an early stage.
KSA issued NLO a cease and desist order on its advertising campaign and wants to make an example out of the lottery to deter any further infringement of the legislation.
As well as the cease and desist order, the KSA ordered NLO to take appropriate measures to prevent a recurrence in the future. However, it failed to comply with the order subject to penalty by placing advertisements, therefore, the fine must be paid in full.
In a statement published on the fine, the Dutch regulator said: “The KSA continues to monitor whether games of chance providers target vulnerable groups, such as minors, with their advertisements.
“If this is the case, the KSA can take enforcement action. Providers are always responsible for all their advertisements, even if they have their advertisements taken care of via third parties such as advertising agencies.”
