Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Dutch gaming regulator, has been forced to intensify action after a prominent YouTuber failed to comply with the organisation’s demands.
In July, ‘Leftlanepapi’, real name Djade Sadloe, was ordered to remove content from his channel after the KSA found that he had broadcast live streams and videos that promoted online gambling at illegal providers.
The KSA issued Sadloe an order subject to a penalty, meaning if further violations took place, he would receive a penalty of €25,000 per instance, with a maximum penalty of €75,000.
However, a subsequent re-examination of Sadloe’s channel on 28 July revealed that he “continued to promote games of chance via the YouTube channel “LeftlanePapi” through advertisements for games of chance for which no license has been issued”, prompting the KSA to escalate its action.
As a result, the KSA informed Sadloe on 1 August that he had to pay a penalty of €25,000 within six weeks.
According to the KSA, this has not happened. Therefore, the regulator has confirmed that it has decided to proceed with the collection of the amount and requested Sadloe to make payment to a KSA bank account.
If Sadloe continues to ignore these demands, the regulator stated that it can collect the money by force using debt recovery measures.
KSA gets tough on influencers
Action against Sadloe forms a wider crackdown against the promotion of unlicensed gambling websites by social media influencers.
At the beginning of October, the KSA issued penalties to Stiefunspeelt, Turcos and Buurtwachtt after the trio used YouTube and Instagram to showcase their own play with illegal providers and encourage followers to do the same.
Like in the case of Leftlanepapi, all three have been ordered to remove the offending content, with the threat of financial penalties if violations continue.
Following reforms to the Netherlands’ Remote Gambling Act (KOA), influencers and other special media personalities are explicitly prohibited from fronting gambling campaigns and promotions.
Furthermore, as part of efforts to protect young and vulnerable consumers, any form of digital advertising must be targeted strictly at audiences aged 24 and above.
