Some gambling ads in news articles aren’t following Dutch rules. The Dutch regulator (KSA) ran a six-month check on gambling promotions in online and print media. The focus was to stop illegal ads that target players without protection,

The Dutch regulator gambling ads investigation led to direct action. Editors were contacted, and content was removed. Here’s what the KSA reported:

• The KSA reviewed how illegal ads appear in news outlets, looking at direct links to unlicensed sites and indirect signs like logos and banners. These ads often appeared next to or within articles without clearly showing they promoted illegal providers. Such content can lead vulnerable users toward unsafe gambling environments.

• KSA reached out personally to 42 editorial teams to discuss their findings. Editors were informed about the impact of these ads, especially for players who rely on CRUKS (the Dutch gambling self-exclusion system and database) for protection. Most of the media outlets agreed to take down the gambling ads after the conversation.

• After each call, KSA sent a follow-up letter with advice to avoid illegal gambling ads in future publications. The letter included examples of risky promotional content and how to identify them. KSA reminded media to be careful with gambling-related advertising, especially when it’s unclear to the reader.

• KSA said illegal providers seldomly use CRUKS, meaning there’s no support system for people wanting to stop gambling. “Players may not always realize they’re being lured into illegal games,” a KSA spokesperson noted. That’s why media promotions of such providers can be harmful.

• The KSA stated that monitoring gambling ads in the media is a key priority. The authority links this to its mission of “Safe play” and wants to prevent exposure to unlicensed providers. Readers are encouraged to report shady ads or content to KSA directly.

Find more news here www.ogqnews.com/category/news/ and find the OGQ Data Magazine via www.quarterly.og-q.com