Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Dutch gambling authority, has issued a fine of €400,000 to Toto Online for advertising to young adults aged between 18 and 23.
According to the KSA report, Toto Online, which is owned by Nederlandse Loterij, sent advertising – including bonus offers – to its entire customer base from 1 October 2021, to 1 February 2022, which included young adults.
However, under the regulations of the gambling authority, gaming operators are prohibited from sending advertising to anyone aged between 18 and 23 even if they are registered with the operator.
The Chairman of the KSA, René Jansen, explained that the law is in place to protect the vulnerability of young people as they continue to develop.
Jansen commented: “The law says that vulnerable groups, including young adults, must be given extra protection. The brains of young people are still developing. As a result, they are extra vulnerable to developing a gambling addiction.
“Gaming providers must fully respect the rules intended to protect vulnerable groups. That did not happen here and that is why this is a fine.”
Earlier this month, the KSA reprimanded the Dutch National Postcode Lottery for breaching rules related to this in TV and online advertisements for its ‘Deal or No Deal’ lottery game.