Dutch gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has issued a warning to internet service providers (ISP) after a firm was found providing web hosting services to affiliate websites that promote unlicensed operators, which is in breach of the laws of the Remote Gambling Act (KOA).

The ISP in question, Cloudflare, was flagged by the KSA for hosting the affiliate sites of unlicensed online gambling platforms, Onlinecasinospelen.com and Nederlandscasinos.net. 

The regulator ordered Cloudflare to discontinue its web hosting services to the said affiliates as they promote illegal games of chance. Furthermore, the owners of the affiliate sites could not be identified. Cloudflare has two weeks to comply with the KSA’s orders. Failure to do so could result in a subsequent sanction, such as a penalty and/or fine.

Dutch ISPs Warned to Comply with Advertising Rules

The Dutch government has this year introduced tougher advertising restrictions as part of its campaign against unlicensed operators. Under new amendments to the country’s gambling laws, the KSA was granted additional powers to monitor untargeted advertising and ensure full compliance with KOA’s advertising rules.

The KSA reminded ISPs of their duty to comply with the advertising rules which are aimed at protecting players from the harms associated with illegal online gambling.