The Netherlands Gambling Authority (Kansspelautoriteit – KSA) has issued enforcement orders against three prominent social media influencers for promoting illegal gambling providers. The individuals, known as Buurtwachtt, Stiefunspeelt, and Turcos, were found to have posted content encouraging audiences to engage with unlicensed operators.
Under the orders, all such content must be removed within 48 hours, and the influencers are prohibited from further promoting unregulated gambling. Failure to comply could result in financial penalties of €25,000 per violation, up to a maximum of €75,000 per case. The regulator also stated it may involve hosting platforms if the material is not taken down voluntarily.
The action reflects the KSA’s growing concern over the influence of digital creators on young and vulnerable audiences, who are particularly susceptible to gambling risks. This is not an isolated incident; in July, a similar enforcement order was issued against another influencer, LeftlanePapi.
Beyond the Netherlands, regulators in several jurisdictions are also tightening rules on gambling promotion via digital platforms. Brazil has issued warnings to influencers, Italy enforces a blanket advertising ban, Spain has restricted online gambling visibility, and the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has released guidelines prohibiting gambling endorsements that appeal to minors.
The latest measures from the KSA reinforce a broader international paradigm shift. Regulators are increasingly scrutinising how gambling products are marketed, particularly through social media channels where young audiences are concentrated. The crackdown signals that gambling promotion, once loosely monitored in digital spaces, is now subject to stricter enforcement to protect consumers and uphold responsible gaming standards.
This decisive stance highlights the regulatory direction across Europe: stronger oversight, stricter penalties, and a continued focus on safeguarding vulnerable groups in the iGaming ecosystem.
