KSA Flags Betnation for Breaching Self‑Exclusion Rules

The Dutch Gambling Authority (KSA) has formally warned Smart Gaming, the operator behind Betnation, after discovering that self‑exclusion checks were not carried out for several players between January and March 2026.

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At present, around 118,000 people are listed in Cruks. The system is meant to give vulnerable players a safeguard against gambling harm, and operators are legally required to check every customer before allowing play.  

Because the system failed, some players were able to gamble online without verifying their status, undermining the very protections Cruks was designed to provide.

Betnation admitted that a technical fault prevented these checks from being performed for a number of accounts. After discovering the issue, the operator tried to manually review which players might have been affected. 

For some, it was impossible to confirm whether they were registered in Cruks during that time. One case was clear: a player listed in Cruks was still able to gamble. The KSA described this failure as “very reprehensible,” stressing that people who register expect complete protection from licensed providers.

Betnation self-reported the breach

Betnation reported the incident to the regulator itself and moved quickly to fix the problem. The operator compensated affected players financially and promised to work with responsible gaming partners to provide additional support, such as counselling or courses. 

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Because of these corrective steps, the KSA opted for a formal warning rather than harsher penalties. Still, the regulator made clear that all operators must ensure their Cruks systems function properly at all times. 

Providers are responsible for identifying and resolving technical problems immediately, and the KSA will continue to monitor compliance closely. 

Busy week for KSA

The warning issued to Betnation capped a particularly active week for the Dutch Gambling Authority. In just a few days, the regulator announced three separate enforcement actions, each highlighting different areas of concern. 

Earlier, the KSA reprimanded TOTO Online for breaking the country’s role‑model advertising ban. That case involved eight professional football clubs promoting a campaign where fans could win signed shirts if they placed a bet, a promotion the regulator said relied on the appeal of players and violated advertising rules designed to protect young people and vulnerable groups. 

Around the same time, the KSA fined operator 711 B.V. €886,000 after finding serious failures in its duty of care obligations. Investigators reviewed ten player files and discovered repeated lapses, including a lack of proper monitoring of gambling behaviour, failure to act when warning signs appeared, and neglecting meaningful contact with players who were losing large sums.

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