Netherlands gambling regulator targets hosting provider

Hosting solutions provider DigitalOcean has been ordered to withdraw its services from unauthorised online gambling affiliates in the Netherlands.

The order from the Netherlands gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) gives the company a four-week deadline to stop hosting the iGaming affiliate websites casinozonderregistratie.net and nieuw-casinos.net, or else face further action and a potential fine.

The two affiliate sites are accused of promoting unlicensed online gaming websites to consumers in the Netherlands.

The KSA said Monday that it is targeting the hosting company behind the websites because it has been unable to determine the identity of the offending affiliates.

“Offering gambling without the right license is prohibited in the Netherlands, as is promoting illegal gambling,” said the regulator. 

“The KSA’s board of directors has tried, in vain, to establish the identity of the owners of both websites. Research has shown that DigitalOcean is the hosting provider. For this reason, the KSA’s board of directors gives DigitalOcean a binding instruction to take the measures to stop the violation.”

Failure to comply with the KSA’s order within the established timeline may result in penalty or fine.