The Netherlands Gambling Authority (Ksa) is fining LeoVegas for failing to adequately protect players. Gambling companies have a duty of care and must protect players as much as possible against excessive gambling and gambling addiction.

According to the Ksa, LeoVegas failed to adequately fulfill this duty of care during the period from October 2023 to May 2024 and will therefore receive a €500,000 fine.

The Ksa requested various player files from LeoVegas and found that all files showed violations of the duty of care. For example, timely action was not taken when a player deposited and lost tens of thousands of euros in a short period. Furthermore, the interventions implemented were not always effective: for example, a player displaying serious signs of excessive gambling initially only received a pop-up alerting the player to the behavior. This pop-up was also easy for the player to dismiss. Michel Groothuizen, chairman of the board of the Ksa:

“Duty of care is an essential element of the broader scope of player protection. Providers must respond appropriately to excessive gambling. Large losses in a short period of time are an important signal of this. We have intensified our oversight of duty of care and are taking a firm stance against gambling providers, because such a crucial element cannot be neglected.”