The Dutch regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has warned that gambling operators must take more proactive measures to address risks related to money laundering.
The authority stated that, as part of its supervision under the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Prevention) Act (Wwft), it has issued formal instructions to three operators, whose names have not been disclosed.
Following an inspection, the KSA found that these companies failed to comply with the legal requirements and recommendations set out in the Wwft.
In particular, it was found that the providers were not adequately verifying the source of players’ funds, and there were other shortcomings concerning player risk classification.
According to the Wwft, operators are required to monitor users’ financial transactions and report suspicious activities to the Dutch Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).
“The KSA’s current instructions require providers to adhere to the Wwft guidelines and to end the violations. If a subsequent inspection reveals that this is not the case, a more severe sanction may be imposed, such as a penalty or fine,” the regulator emphasized.
A comprehensive guide to Wwft compliance for operators has not yet been published, as it is still under development. However, the KSA has already provided information about the preparation process.
In particular, a webinar dedicated to the Wwft was held at the end of last year, where legal requirements and best practices were explained in detail. Additionally, at the end of 2023, the guidelines were revised and updated based on research findings, user feedback, and suggestions from the operators themselves.
UK Raises Threat Level
The threat of money laundering through gambling establishments has also been acknowledged in several other European countries.
Last week, the UK’s Treasury and Home Office announced an increase in the threat level of money laundering via casinos from “low” to “medium,” citing the growing popularity of online gaming.
According to the 2025 National Risk Assessment of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, changes in customer, geographic, and transactional risk, particularly the increase in cash flow through remote casinos since the COVID-19 pandemic, have prompted the UK government to be on heightened alert.
The report notes that revenues from slot games in remote casinos have increased by 52% since 2020 – from £2.3 billion to £3.6 billion ( $2.97 billion to $4.64 billion) – with players also spending more time gambling.
“The increased scale and volume of slot gaming, when combined with risks of non-face-to-face business relationships and the noncompliance with customer due diligence requirements by some casinos, increases the risk of money laundering and terrorist financing,” said the report.
The most common form of money laundering through licensed casinos was the recreational use of criminal proceeds. However, throughout the assessment period, there were also cases where criminals attempted to “legitimize” money through casinos.
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