KSA Issues Compliance Warning to Bet365 Over Affordability Measures and Calculation Errors
Introduction to the KSA’s Compliance Concern
The Dutch Gaming Authority, known as Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has recently expressed serious concerns regarding the bet365 brand operated by Hillside in the Netherlands. Following an investigation, the authority notified the operator to enhance its social responsibility standards, particularly its duty of care towards players.
Issues Identified in Affordability Assessments
The KSA’s investigation revealed that bet365’s methods for assessing player affordability were inadequate and did not meet regulatory expectations. For instance, in 2021, bet365 used an income questionnaire format to evaluate whether players could afford to gamble, but the KSA considered this approach to be unsuitable for accurately gauging affordability.
Furthermore, the regulator pointed out errors in bet365’s affordability calculations, specifically in determining net deposit limits. These miscalculations led to limits that were too high, allowing players to gamble beyond what would be financially responsible for them.
Regulatory Requirements for Social Responsibility in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, legal betting operators must adhere to strict social responsibility regulations designed to protect individuals from gambling-related harm. Key to these requirements is the ongoing monitoring of player activity and the enforcement of net deposit limits. These limits are set differently for younger adults, who have a cap of 300 euros, and adults with a cap of 700 euros.
If players wish to increase their deposit limits, operators are obliged to conduct thorough affordability assessments to verify the player’s financial ability. Should players fail these assessments, the operator must prevent deposits beyond the set base limits.
Required Actions for Bet365 and Potential Consequences
The KSA has given Hillside a deadline of four weeks to comply with the duty of care standards. This involves conducting proper affordability assessments and ensuring players’ gambling remains within their financial means.
Additionally, bet365 must prevent any players from continuing to gamble once they are no longer able to afford their chosen deposit limits.
Failure to meet these requirements could lead to further enforcement measures from the KSA, including the possibility of revoking bet365’s license to operate online gambling services in the Netherlands.
The KSA’s Strategic Focus Moving Forward
This warning to bet365 aligns with the KSA’s broader 2026 strategic plan, which emphasizes heightened protection of local players and strict enforcement of operators’ duty of care obligations. The authority also intends to intensify efforts against illegal gambling activities, combat financial crimes related to betting, and scrutinize gambling advertising practices.
