KSA Fines Novatech €25M for Illegally Targeting Dutch Players

KSA awards a €25 million fine to Novatech for illegally targeting players in the Netherlands. Player safety is being questioned.

If recent events are any indication, the Dutch gambling authority, Kanspelautoriteit (KSA), is not messing around.

It just slapped a €25 million fine on an offshore operator, Novatech, for illegally targeting local players.

As all Dutch casinos are expected to comply with strict rules, the operator's actions have led to more questions and concerns regarding player safety in online gaming.

Novatech’s huge fine

The penalty against Novatech was announced on the 11th of March 2026. Novatech was caught operating unlicensed platforms like Qbet.com and 55bet.com. These platforms have been accessible to Dutch players despite the country’s strict regulatory framework.

The KSA revealed that the company failed to implement proper geo-blocking measures, making it easy for players to register and play. Another great concern was that there were no age verification checks imposed, leaving minors exposed to gambling risks.

There were red flags raised around fraud and money laundering as the platforms accepted cryptocurrencies and other anonymous payments. The fine serves as one of the largest the Dutch authorities have ever imposed for illegal operations.

Players at the heart of it all

This is a clear reminder for operators that anyone who directly undermines the consumer protections in the Dutch legal gaming space will not be spared.

All licensed Dutch gaming sites are expected to comply with strict rules. This means having age verification measures in place to prevent underage gambling.

Implementing strict play limits, such as deposit limits, that protect players from suffering excessive losses. Advertising restrictions must also be put in place to reduce exposure.

Any illegal operators that willfully choose to bypass these safeguards leave players in a vulnerable position of possible financial harm and data misuse.

KSA’s record fine towards Novatech shows that the regulators are watching and will step in. At the same time, it speaks of just how vulnerable players are.

Enforcing limits

According to KSA chairman Michel Groothuizen, the Dutch law caps fines at 10% of an operator’s global turnover. If this cap had not been in place, Novatech’s fine would’ve exceeded €100 million.

The question that arises is whether current legislation is sufficient to stop the larger international operators who consider fines part of doing business. With the limits in place, the fines may be large, but they won’t necessarily lead to platforms stopping.

Novatech is not the first to have received a fine in recent months. The KSA also imposed a fine of €1.8 million on Fortaprime and €840,000 on Polymarket.

These operators were fined for similar violations of the Dutch gambling regulations. With a repeat of these violations, we see that the enforcement is active.

But it’s also clear that current legislation and enforcement are not enough to deter determined companies.

The breaches have direct consequences for the industry. It leads to a breakdown of trust and creates a market imbalance where licensed operators suffer, and illegal sites do what they feel like doing.

Not to mention the current regulatory debate that over-regulation could very well be the very thing that pushes more towards black-market gameplay.

Your job as a player

While it’s important for authorities to continue cracking down on illegal casinos and activities, you, as a player, also need to take responsibility when it comes to choosing your platforms. Always opt for a platform that is licensed and regulated.

Responsible Gambling & Play Safe — Gamble RESPONSIBLY. At CasinoWow, we're dedicated to responsible gambling and we provide you with many resources to help you play safe.

Check out CasinoWow’s recommendations for where to play safely within the Dutch gaming market.

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By Deni

Verified Casino Expert

Expertise: Casino Content Writing, Journalism & (PR), Gambling Regulations, Dutch & German Gambling Markets

Hi, I'm Deni! I'm a research obsessive with a passion for gambling regulations, market trends, and casino news. I dig deep into every topic I cover - so every article, review, or guide I write is built on solid research and real detail.

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Last updated: March 25, 2026

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KSA fines Novatech €25M for illegally targeting Dutch players

Novatech’s huge fine

Players at the heart of it all

Enforcing limits