Dutch Regulator Issues Record €37M Fine to Unlicensed Operator

The Dutch Gambling Authority (KSA) has imposed a record €37 million fine on EOD Code SRL for operating unlicensed online gambling services in the Netherlands. This penalty represents the largest ever issued by the regulator for illegal gambling operations.

What Happened

The Dutch Gambling Authority (KSA) has issued a record €37 million ($44.4 million) fine against EOD Code SRL, citing the alleged provision of online gambling services to Dutch players without a valid license, according to GamblingNews. This penalty surpasses all prior fines levied by the KSA for illegal gambling operations.

EOD Code SRL reportedly operated multiple websites, including Instantcasino and Skyhills, which allowed Dutch residents to access gambling services without the necessary safeguards to block their participation. The KSA stated that EOD Code had previously received an order subject to penalty payments concerning its activities. A subsequent investigation involved authorities successfully engaging in gambling on the company’s websites, indicating continued accessibility for Dutch players.

The initial investigation focused on Instantcasino but later expanded to include eleven additional websites: Skyhills.com, slotmonster.com, betiro.com, betblast.com, fastslots.com, goldenpanda.com, sambaslots.com, winningz.com, incognitocasino.com, foxygold.com, and luckypays.io. The KSA also identified factors contributing to the severity of the violations, including the absence of visible age verification measures and the acceptance of cryptocurrency and anonymous payment methods, which the authority indicated could facilitate money laundering.

Key Details

• The €37 million fine is the largest penalty ever issued by the Dutch Gambling Authority for illegal gambling operations, according to GamblingNews.
• EOD Code SRL operated multiple websites, including Instantcasino and Skyhills, which were accessible to Dutch residents without a license, as reported by the KSA.
• The KSA noted that EOD Code lacked visible age verification and accepted cryptocurrency and anonymous payment methods, potentially encouraging money laundering.
• The penalty calculation considered estimated revenue, concluding that standard fines would not adequately reflect the financial gains from the illegal activities, according to the regulator.
• EOD Code claimed registration and regulation in Costa Rica on its website, GamblingNews stated.

Why It Matters

This record fine underscores the Dutch regulator’s intensified efforts to address online gambling operators targeting local players without proper authorization. The KSA’s findings emphasize its focus not only on the absence of a license but also on crucial safeguards such as age verification and acceptable payment methods. This enforcement action sets a precedent for penalties that factor in estimated revenue from illegal activities, moving beyond standard sanctions when financial gains are substantial.

The penalty significantly exceeds previous record fines, such as the nearly €24.8 million imposed on Novatech in March 2026 for its Qbet.com and 55bet.com websites, and the almost €20 million fine against Gammix in 2024, associated with Rantcasino.com and Betoriginal.com. This escalation in fine amounts reflects a growing commitment to deterring unauthorized operations and ensuring regulatory compliance within the Dutch market.

Originally reported by GamblingNews·Published 23 Oct 2026, 09:27