Techno Offshore faces €1.2 million Dutch fine over illegal activity

The Dutch gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has imposed a substantial fine of €1.2 million (£1 million/$1.3 million) on Techno Offshore, the operator behind the online gambling brands Nolimitbet.com and Simplecasino.com, for unlawful activities within the Netherlands.

The KSA revealed that Techno Offshore was illegally providing games of chance to Dutch players via its online platforms without obtaining the necessary licenses. According to Dutch legislation, operators are strictly required to secure approval from the KSA in order to legally offer online gambling services within the country.

In a formal announcement made on April 9, the KSA disclosed that Techno Offshore failed to implement effective measures to prevent Dutch players from accessing their sites. The regulator specifically highlighted the operator’s lack of age verification processes during player registration and the use of prohibited features such as autoplay.

The investigation into Techno Offshore began in April 2022, revealing that the company is based in the British Virgin Islands and is licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission for its operations. During the examination, the KSA noted that Simplecasino.com was facilitating both online casino games and sports betting in the Netherlands without the essential licensing, allowing Dutch nationals to register despite lacking regulatory approval.

A subsequent KSA investigation conducted in June 2024 further assessed both Nolimitbet.com and Simplecasino.com, confirming that these platforms continued to operate without the required licenses and failed to block Dutch players from accessing their services.

Regulator Takes Action Following Warning to Techno Offshore

In response to these infractions, the KSA issued a penalty payment order to Techno Offshore in July 2024. The operator was instructed to halt all activities within the Netherlands or face escalating financial penalties on a weekly basis.

In November, the KSA elaborated on the penalty process, indicating that the operator could face an initial fine of €280,000 (£239,959/$310,218), which could escalate to a maximum of €840,000. This preliminary financial assessment was subsequently detailed in a report published in January, which provided justification for the regulatory actions taken against Techno Offshore. Although the operator was invited to respond to the charges, the KSA reported that there was no feedback received from Techno Offshore.

The final penalty amount of €1.2 million was determined after the KSA considered various aggravating factors, including the specific types of games offered and the availability of the problematic autoplay feature, ultimately resulting in an additional €600,000 being added to the total fine.

Regulator Pledges to Enforce Stricter Measures Against Illegal Operators

In comments regarding the ruling, KSA board member Michel Groothuizen reaffirmed the regulator’s commitment to maintaining a robust approach against illegal gambling operators. He emphasized that unlicensed providers lack the protective measures that are essential for safeguarding players.

“Licensed operators in the Netherlands are required to adhere to stringent regulations designed to protect players from gambling addiction,” Groothuizen stated. “In contrast, illegal operators frequently disregard the prevention of harmful gambling behaviors, failing to implement age verification, allowing cryptocurrency transactions, and neglecting to enforce limits on play.”

“We are determined to take strong action against these illegal entities, as they lure players into risky propositions where adequate protections are absent,” he concluded.