Costa Rican Gaming Operator Fined In The Netherlands For Repeat Violations

Article by : Erik Gibbs Jan 7, 2025

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A Costa Rica-based gambling operator, Alimaniere Sociedad De Responsabilidad Limitada, has been fined €1 million (US$1.04 million) by the Dutch gaming regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) for illegally offering gambling services in the Netherlands. This hefty penalty marks the second action against the Curaçao-licensed operator in two months, highlighting the regulator’s growing focus on ensuring compliance with Dutch gaming laws.

The fine stems from Alimaniere’s continued provision of unlicensed online gambling services to Dutch consumers through multiple websites. Initially, the KSA fined the operator in November 2023 for allowing users in the Netherlands to gamble on Time2spin.com.

Despite an earlier warning and the subsequent inaccessibility of that site, the operator circumvented restrictions by launching a similar platform, Timetospin1.com, which also catered to Dutch users with prohibited games of chance and features such as the Dutch language interface.

The KSA’s investigation began in late 2023, uncovering several violations, including the absence of age verification, enabling minors to participate in gambling activities, offering prohibited autoplay options, and imposing inactivity penalties on dormant user accounts. These breaches are particularly concerning in a country like the Netherlands, which emphasizes a regulated gambling market designed to protect consumers and minimize risks associated with gambling addiction and underage play.

Given the recurring nature of the violations and the operator’s deliberate disregard for regulatory warnings, the KSA opted to impose a penalty well above the basic fine amount of €600,000 (US$624,000) typically applied to companies with turnovers under €15 million (US$15.6 million). The higher penalty reflects the severity of the violations and aims to deter future infractions.

Michel Groothuizen, Chairman of the KSA, explained the importance of strict enforcement to maintain a safe and fair gambling environment in the Netherlands. He emphasized that illegal operators often disregard critical safeguards, such as protecting minors and preventing harmful gambling practices.

Groothuizen highlighted that regulatory action is necessary to uphold the integrity of the Dutch gambling market and ensure consumer safety.

This penalty aligns with the recent introduction of a new fine system by the KSA, which came into effect earlier this year. The updated framework establishes five categories of penalties, ranging from minor breaches with fines capped at €500 ($520) to severe violations, where penalties can reach €4 million (US$4.16 million). Alimaniere’s actions fall within the higher penalty categories due to their impact and recurrence.

By imposing substantial fines on non-compliant operators, the KSA aims to communicate the importance of adhering to Dutch gambling regulations. This case underscores the regulator’s commitment to maintaining a legal and secure gambling market, discouraging illegal operators from exploiting the system and putting players at risk.