Holland Casino wins five-year renewal as KSA warns BetCity and TOTO over footballer ads

The Dutch Gambling Authority (KSA) has restarted enforcement after a temporary halt, issuing warnings to BetCity and TOTO for marketing that violated the country's prohibition on role models in gambling ads. The breaches came to light during extra checks around the World Cup, and the offending advertisements were taken down as soon as the regulator intervened.

Advertising breaches

At BetCity, betting options were displayed alongside national team jerseys that carried player names and shirt numbers, with Mbappé and Olise among those referenced. No footballer appeared in the imagery, yet the KSA judged the combination to create an unmistakable link to professional athletes.

TOTO ran into trouble with an ad reading "Mbappé hattrick? Win €100. Play here" next to a jersey bearing his number. That, too, was judged to contravene Dutch advertising rules.

Licence renewals

On the licensing side, Holland Casino has been granted a five-year extension to its online licence, effective 1 October. The operator said the move reflects its continued focus on responsible gambling and player safety. CEO Petra de Ruiter said the company will keep investing in a responsible online offering, stating that "player protection always comes first."

De Ruiter also argued that the regulated market needs to stay attractive enough to discourage players from turning to unlicensed services that lack proper supervision and safeguards.

The KSA has likewise renewed the online licences of Fair Play, TOTO Online and Kansino, according to announcements from those operators.