The regulator said the issue of illegal gambling apps, accessible to minors and promoted via social media, has become increasingly urgent and called on consumers to report any they came across.

Unlicensed operators, it added, often use underhand techniques to convince customers, for example by displaying the logos of licensed providers.

In one case, a reported app had used the Holland Casino logo, while others linked to unregulated gambling websites despite appearing to be an “ordinary” game.

The KSA said: “It is of great importance to the KSA that consumers continue to report these apps, so that this process can continue throughout the year.

“When reporting gambling advertising, it is essential that the name of the app in question that is being advertised is mentioned in the report.”

Alongside these consumer reports, the KSA said it is increasingly receiving tips from industry associations and licensed casinos.

One recent effort towards this is Meld Vals Spel, an online portal for reporting illegal gambling set up by the Netherlands’ two online gambling trade bodies, VNLOK and NOGA.

The KSA emphasised tips received via this platform are investigated and highlighted it has been working on agreements with app stores to facilitate the reporting and removal of illegal offerings.

The enforcement effort follows a KSA investigation last month into newspapers and online magazines promoting illegal gambling sites not linked to Cruks, the Netherlands’ self-exclusion platform.

During this process, the regulator contacted 42 editors, with the media sites opting to remove the illegal gambling affiliate links at the first opportunity.

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