Dutch watchdog warns Betnation over Cruks gap
Table of contents
- The Kansspelautoriteit warned Smart Gaming, operator of the Betnation brand, after Cruks self-exclusion checks failed for some players between January and March 2026.
- The lapse allowed at least one self-excluded player to gamble on the platform without being checked.
- Betnation self-reported the issue, fixed the fault and compensated affected players, leading the KSA to issue a warning rather than a fine.
The Dutch Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has warned Smart Gaming, operator of the Betnation brand, after Cruks self-exclusion checks failed for some players between January and March 2026, the regulator said in a notice published on 15 June.
The lapse allowed at least one self-excluded player to gamble on the platform without being checked.
Technical fault exposed
Betnation said a technical fault stopped Cruks checks from running correctly for some players during the affected period. For a number of accounts, it could not later confirm with certainty whether those players had been registered on Cruks at the time.
One case was clearly established: a self-excluded player had been able to gamble on the platform regardless.
Cruks, also known as Gokstop, is the Netherlands’ central self-exclusion register. Licensed operators must check every player against it before granting access to gambling products, a requirement in place since the regulated online market opened in 2021. Around 118,000 people are currently enrolled in the Cruks register.
Compensation and fixes
Betnation reported the failure to the KSA itself, before the regulator opened any inquiry. The operator then carried out manual checks on potentially affected accounts and resolved the underlying technical fault.
It also compensated the players involved financially and said it would work with responsible gambling partners to offer further support, including access to counselling.
Kansspelautoriteit, the Dutch gambling regulator, said:
“The KSA considers it highly reprehensible that the Cruks checks were not carried out. Players who register themselves in Cruks do so to protect themselves and must be able to assume that they will therefore not be able to gamble with licensed providers.”
It added:
“The KSA expects all providers to carry out Cruks checks correctly. Providers are responsible for a properly functioning control system and must immediately identify and resolve technical problems. The KSA will continue to monitor this closely.”
Wider enforcement drive
The KSA chose to issue a warning rather than a fine because Betnation self-reported the issue, fixed it and compensated affected players. The decision follows a busy stretch for the regulator this month.
Earlier in June, the KSA fined operator 711 €886,000 over inadequate player protection. It had also put licence holders on notice about compliance expectations during the World Cup.
The KSA’s enforcement actions this month point to sustained scrutiny of self-exclusion compliance among Dutch-licensed operators, with technical safeguards now treated as a continuous obligation rather than a one-off requirement.
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