Dutch gambling authority issues warning to 711 casino over ads targeting minors
Imagine logging into a homework website for your child and seeing a flashy online casino ad. Unthinkable, right? Yet, that’s precisely what happened in the Netherlands when 711 B.V., a major online casino operator, found itself under fire. The Dutch gambling authority, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), issued a formal reprimand after discovering gambling ads on a platform designed for primary school homework.
What happened with 711 B.V.?
KSA is the Dutch gambling authority and the watchdog over all things gaming in the Netherlands. 711 B.V. launched an advertising campaign that somehow placed gambling banners on a site used by primary school students. The educational platform for school homework made this incident so jaw-dropping. Placing gambling promotions in such spaces crosses a hard legal and ethical line in the Netherlands.
Children are impressionable and exposing them to gambling ads can normalise risky behaviours before they even understand what’s at stake. That’s why Dutch law strictly prohibits advertising to minors.
KSA’s reaction
KSA called the exposure of gambling content to children “very harmful and therefore a serious violation.” The regulator issued an without a monetary fine—but made it crystal clear that this sort of slip-up is not acceptable.
KSA said 711 B.V. promptly removed the ads and took responsibility. Rather than paying a financial penalty, the company was formally admonished. But let there be no doubt—this was a wake-up call for the entire gambling sector. KSA’s words were firm and not overstated. When children are concerned, there is absolutely no margin for error. Even if accidental, the damage has already been done.
711 B.V.’s response
To its credit, 711 B.V. did not shirk the blame. The firm took responsibility for the blunder, took down the offending banners, and vowed to beef up its ad controls. Although they escaped a fine this time around, the reputational bruise could take longer to heal. The operator said it would put more stringent ad vetting and monitoring mechanisms in place. They will take greater control of where their content winds up, particularly when it outsources campaigns to third parties.
KSA noted, “It remains the responsibility of providers to comply with the laws and regulations when they outsource advertising campaigns to external parties. Incidents must also be reported immediately, regardless of whether an internal investigation is already underway. If violations occur in the field of advertising, the KSA can take enforcement action, even if an external partner is involved.”
Third-party accountability
The ads weren’t placed directly by 711 B.V. but by a marketing partner. Still, under Dutch law, that doesn’t matter. The buck stops with the licence holder. Whether intentional or not, they are responsible for every piece of content associated with their brand.
Another strike against 711 B.V. was that they didn’t immediately notify the KSA, as legally required. That delay in communication violated transparency laws, and the KSA wasn’t happy about it. When mistakes happen, staying silent only makes it worse. In 2025, the authority has intensified its monitoring of online ads, with a laser focus on youth protection. That means more eyes, more rules, and fewer second chances.
Gamusoft’s case
While 711 B.V. avoided a fine, another company Gamusoft. Authorities caught Gamusoft offering unlicensed gambling services to Dutch players, and now they face stiff weekly penalties until they cease operations in the region. Gamusoft must pay €280,000 a week, which is over USD 318,000. Until Gamusoft exits the Dutch market or complies, the fines will continue to accumulate. This case sends a clear message: play by the rules or pay the price.
