The Hague has upheld the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA)’s decision to deny a Malta-based provider a gambling licence in the Netherlands, marking the first court ruling on an integrity test for online gambling providers.
The initial refusal in 2023 stemmed from the provider’s failure to disclose critical information about one of its shareholders, who was suspected of involvement in the murder of an investigative journalist covering a major corruption scandal in Malta.
Court documents indicated that the scandal likely extended to Malta’s gambling industry, posing a serious risk that the permit could be misused for criminal activities due to the provider’s ties with the former shareholder.
The provider argued that the shareholder had been bought out in late 2019 after the company became aware of the allegations, claiming to have severed all ties. Additionally, it pointed to its sponsorship of Betblocker, a responsible gambling tool, as proof of its credibility.
However, court investigations revealed that the shareholder maintained links to the company, undermining its claims. The ruling stated that the provider’s categorical denial of any relationship with the shareholder further diminished its reliability.
The KSA upheld its refusal, asserting that providing incorrect or incomplete information was sufficient to cast doubt on the company’s integrity.
While The Hague dismissed the provider’s appeal, leaving the rejection in place, the company retains the right to appeal the decision in the future.
Meanwhile, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has announced a new supervisory focus, outlining an enhanced oversight approach as part of its regulatory policy for the year ahead.
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