The Dutch Gambling Authority (Kansspelautoriteit, KSA) has taken decisive action against YouTube influencer LeftlanePapi for promoting illegal gambling.
Notably, this is the first-ever order subject to a penalty for the KSA and it marks a significant escalation in the regulator’s efforts to curb unlicensed gambling promotions on social media, particularly those targeting younger audiences with the rise of social media trends such as TikTok and video shorts.
The authority said in a translated statement: “Reports of influencers posting content on various social media platforms showing illegal gambling activities have been increasing recently.
“The KSA takes these reports very seriously, as these influencers often target a (very) young audience with their content. If influencers fail to remove such content within 48 hours of receiving a warning from the KSA, sanctions will follow.”
An investigation was launched into the influencer LeftlanePapi, real name Djade Sadloe, after reports surfaced of him promoting gambling activities on platforms not licensed in the Netherlands, such as Skyhills.com.
With over 53,000 subscribers on YouTube, his videos showed live gambling but also included direct links and invitations for viewers to participate, as well as access to a Dutch-language Discord channel for additional support.
A formal warning was sent to remove such illegal content from his channel within 48 hours but, despite the message, they remained up and new content also appeared.
Due to his non-compliance, the KSA imposed a penalty order requiring the immediate cessation of all illegal promotional activities. he order stipulates a fine of €25,000 (£21,519) per violation, up to a maximum of €75,000 (£64,559.62).
This enforcement is part of a new two-track policy for dealing with influencers who promote illegal gambling which begins with the initial 48-hour warning window and if the influencer does not comply, financial penalties are imposed and the platform is contacted to take down the material.
KSA has stipulated other influencers have received warnings and the goal is protect vulnerable groups from exposure to unlicensed gambling, fraud, and addiction risks – especially given the younger audiences that influencers attract.
The gambling industry has seen influencer gambling sponsorship deals curtailed in certain parts of the world; Romania’s National Audiovisual Council (CNA) has prohibited celebrities from participating in gambling promotions, with football players previously being included in adverts.
Regulation and laws have changed over recent years and we could see more countries and areas of the world follow suit when it comes to influencer gambling advertisements.
