Summary
- The Dutch Gambling Authority has sounded a clear warning to three operators.
- The issues stem from gaps and weaknesses in compliance with Wwft regulations.
- The regulator has strongly encouraged operators to take corrective steps, or they will face harsher penalties.
The Dutch Gambling Authority has taken decisive action against three licensed companies in the local market by imposing penalties under the Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Prevention Act, commonly referred to by its Dutch acronym, Wwft.
Regulator determined to make gambling companies comply with money laundering laws
The Dutch Gambling Authority recently conducted a thorough investigation into three companies, scrutinizing their internal practices, from risk assessment strategies to company guidelines on Wwft compliance and player files. What they found were significant gaps and weaknesses that could not go unnoticed. Instead of taking immediate punitive measures, the regulator chose to shine a spotlight on these shortcomings, urging the companies to quickly adjust their practices to align with the Wwft requirements. This framework is crucial in the Dutch Gambling Authority's mission to combat illegal gambling. Every licensed company operating under Dutch law must closely monitor and report suspicious transactions as mandated by the Wwft. This ensures that the Dutch Financial Intelligence Unit can effectively identify and investigate any potential criminal activity or money laundering. A common grievance from operators and regulated companies is the incomplete release of Wwft guidelines. Despite this, the regulator has provided all available information and even hosted a webinar back in 2024 to help operators and local gambling entities stay informed. Nonetheless, the authority made it clear that significant improvements are still required to meet Wwft standards. According to a statement from the regulator's website, they observed that providers frequently fail to investigate the source of players' funds. Furthermore, there are notable shortcomings in how they classify player risks and coordinate corresponding measures.
Strict measures take hold across the Dutch gambling market
While the companies involved are spared from immediate penalties, the regulator has issued a stern warning. If they don't adhere to the well-known Wwft guidelines during future inspections, they will face harsher consequences. In recent months, the Dutch market has seen an influx of regulations focusing intently on the players. This became particularly evident with the expanded ban on gambling advertisements that came into effect on July 1, 2025. Despite these efforts, the market continues to struggle with managing the gross gaming revenue within the country. However, it's notable that the channelization rate has surpassed 90%, according to most estimates.
