The Dutch Gambling Authority (KSA) has issued its first fine against a social media influencer, YouTuber LeftlanePapi, for promoting unlicensed online gambling. Despite prior warnings, the influencer continued to share gambling livestreams and links, prompting KSA to impose fines of €25,000 per violation, up to €75,000. The case highlights growing regulatory concern over the normalization of gambling among youth through platforms like YouTube and Discord, and marks a shift toward stricter enforcement and collaboration with social media platforms
Dutch Gambling Regulator Fines Influencer for the First Time — LeftlanePapi Becomes a Key Case
A Historic Move by Dutch Authorities: KSA Issues First Fine Against Gambling Influencer
In early July 2025, the Dutch Gambling Authority, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), officially issued its first fine against a social media influencer for promoting illegal gambling activities. The case centers on popular YouTuber LeftlanePapi, who drew regulatory attention for repeatedly promoting unlicensed gambling on his channel despite official warnings.
According to KSA, this action was not only aimed at penalizing individual violations but also intended to send a strong signal to the broader content creator community: social platforms are not lawless zones, and promoting illegal gambling will carry serious consequences.
KSA Steps Up Regulation to Protect Youth from Gambling Normalization
Behind KSA’s enforcement action lies a deeper regulatory concern: protecting young audiences from being misled by gambling-related content on social media. As platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram become integral to young people’s daily lives, gambling is increasingly portrayed as harmless or even glamorous entertainment.
A KSA spokesperson commented:
“We are receiving more and more reports about influencers showing how they gamble illegally across social media platforms. These behaviors are clearly targeting very young audiences, and we take this extremely seriously.”
The agency fears that such content, under the guise of entertainment, may distort young people’s perception of gambling, leading to higher addiction risks.
Case Breakdown: LeftlanePapi Fined €25,000 per Violation After Ignoring Warning
LeftlanePapi’s YouTube channel has over 53,000 subscribers. The flagged videos showcased his gambling sessions on Skyhills.com — a platform not licensed in the Netherlands — and included direct links inviting viewers to join. Additionally, he offered gambling tips via a Dutch-language Discord community, clearly constituting promotional behavior.
Following an investigation, KSA issued a formal warning, demanding all illegal content be removed within 48 hours. However, upon non-compliance, the regulator escalated its actions.
Under its enforcement framework, KSA:
- Issued a formal cease-and-desist order barring the influencer from promoting, livestreaming, or publishing any illegal gambling content on any social media platform;
- Imposed a fine of €25,000 for each violation, with a maximum penalty of €75,000.
This reflects KSA’s newly adopted two-step enforcement policy:
- First-time offenders are given a short window to rectify content after receiving a notice;
- If they fail to comply, KSA contacts the platform directly to remove the content and imposes monetary penalties.
KSA reiterated:
“This mechanism allows us to quickly disrupt the spread of illegal gambling and cut off its influence at the source — especially among youth.”
Conclusion: KSA Expected to Expand Social Media Crackdowns
The LeftlanePapi case may be just the beginning. As KSA intensifies its scrutiny of gambling content on social platforms, more creators could find themselves facing regulatory and platform-level consequences. The authority stated it will continue strengthening its monitoring systems and building tighter collaborations with social platforms to foster a healthier digital environment.
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