PokerStars fined by Netherlands regulator

The operators at PokerStars have a much smaller stack this week after getting hit with a massive fine by the Netherlands’ gaming regulator.

Earlier this week Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) hit PokerStars with a €400,000 fine, which amounts to approximately $438,000 US. According to the KSA, the fine was for operating without a license.

The KSA has been investigating PokerStars for more than a year and established a number of violations over that time. Under current laws in the Netherlands, online gambling, including online poker, is illegal.

Once the KSA determined that PokerStars was offering online poker to residents in the Netherlands, it was a pretty clear-cut case that they were violating the law.

KSA officials reported that PokerStars.eu, their European branded site, was easily accessible from the Netherlands. Other violations reported by the KSA included taking online payments through iDEAL which is only available in the Netherlands. As well, not informing players that they were violating the law by playing on the site and using Dutch language in their customer service and problem gaming information.

The KSA previously levied similar fines for gaming violations to the Kindred Group and Trannel International, which operate several online poker platforms, back in August. That fine is being appealed. There has not been any word yet from PokerStars if they will follow the same route and launch an appeal of their fines.