Casino de Spa, based in Belgium, is the latest business to be approved by the Dutch Gaming Authority, Kansspelautoriteit, becoming the country’s 12th licensed online gaming operator. The license, which allows for the online distribution of games of chance, became effective on February 2, 2022, and will last for five years, expiring on February 1, 2027.

Casino de Spa joins crowded market

Casino de Spa is expected to join the country via its 777.be online casino and sports betting portal. Casino de Spa was founded in 1763 and has been rebuilt multiple times following fires. The KSA granted an initial ten licenses to kick-start the region’s online gaming industry, including authorization for the Toto Online brand of Nederlandse Loterij, the Dutch arcade firm FPO Netherlands, Holland Casino, and NSUS Malta, which operates GGPoker.

In addition, Play North of Estonia, operator of the Rocket Casino and Pikakasino brands, bingo provider Tombola, bet365; Belgian brand Bingoal, Italy’s Betent, and LiveScore Malta are entrants. Joi Gaming obtained the 11th permit in November through the licensing of its online casino jacks.nl. The license was given to a subsidiary of the JVH gaming and entertainment group subsidiary and will take effect on November 20, 2021.

The Dutch authority issued an alert last month warning of an impending shutdown of illicit, unlicensed online gambling services in the country.

KSA issues caution against blackmarket gaming 

The KSA advised players to remove any remaining monies from these businesses, noting that “there are no guarantees that illegal providers will reimburse money if they can no longer be reached from the Netherlands.” It noted that the Ksa is powerless to intervene in this matter. Following the market’s introduction, the Ksa quickly stated that it would take major actions to prevent unlawful operators from targeting Dutch customers, including blocking IP and payment addresses and increasing fines and penalties.