Malta licensed Shark 77 Ltd fined by Dutch Regulator

By Simon Wright Jan 20, 2023

The MGA licensed operator Shark 77 Ltd who own and operate the online brands 18Bet, Sport Empire and Casino Win Big have been hit with a €900,000 fine by the Dutch gambling regulator the KSA.

Announcing yesterday afternoon on their site, the KSA stated that Shark 77 Ltd has offered online gambling without a license via their 18Bet website and that they have subsequently imposed a fine of €900,000 on the gambling site’s parent company, Shark 77 Ltd.

The notice on the Dutch regulator’s site goes on to state: “Casino games and sports betting were offered on the website. No technical measures were taken to prevent participants from the Netherlands from accessing the games of chance. The Gaming Authority has imposed a fine for the violation.”

“Offering online games of chance is only allowed with a license from the Gaming Authority. This is subject to strict rules and regulations aimed at ensuring that there is a safe legal offer, whereby players are assured of fair play and are protected against gambling addiction.”

With René Jansen, chairman of the KSA commenting on the case: “These providers can thus have an attractive effect on players and jeopardise the channeling to the legal offer. We consider this serious and highly undesirable. Dutch players deserve the good protection of providers with a license from the Gaming Authority.”

Simon Wright has been both a player and an observer of the online casino industry for over 15 years. His knowledge of the online casino industry – to include sports is massive. Not many folks have the experience or his knowledge about online gambling. His adoration of football is also noted. He has painted his house blue (Chelsea) and annoys his neighbors with local football songs on game days.