The Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa) fined Merkur Casino Almere €45,000. The casino was fined for failing to comply with its statutory verification obligations by allowing access to those registered in the Central Register of Exclusions from Gaming (Cruks).

Merkur casino in Almere

Between 17 February 2022 and 2 March 2022, a person registered with Cruks managed to gain access to the Merkur casino in Almere nine times. On this basis, the person should be denied access to the casino. The Kansspelautoriteit has imposed a fine of €45,000 because the casino failed to do so nine times in the above period. Cruks is a register that lists people who are barred from high-stakes gambling. Betting providers with a licence in the Netherlands check whether players are on Cruks and thus ensure that players on the register cannot gamble. Cruks are therefore an important tool in the fight against gambling addiction and to protect players from the adverse effects of gambling.

When checking the person's profile at Crooks, casino employees were given incorrect information and therefore could not verify that the person was on the roster.