KSA clears tipster site of wrongdoing despite “worrying” practices
Although Analyse Master violated no gambling laws, the Dutch regulator has expressed concern at young people potentially being exposed to the platform
Betting tips platform Analyse Master has been cleared of wrongdoing by the Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) following an investigation from the regulator, although the authority said it still held some residual concerns.
The KSA first launched an investigation into the platform towards the end of 2024 after the Dutch publication Pointer published a report into the group.
Analyse Master, and its associated channel on the social media platform Telegram, offers tips for sports betting which can often include affiliation for operators.
The website is also often promoted by various role models, which heightens the risk of young people being exposed to gambling, the KSA said.
The use of role models as a means of advertising acted as the catalyst for the KSA to launch its own independent investigation, with the practice outlawed in the Netherlands.
For the investigation, the KSA contacted two licence holders that were mentioned on both the Analyse Master site and on Telegram.
The regulator learned one of the two companies had an affiliate agreement with the Analyse Master, but it decided to cut ties of its own volition when it became apparent that role models were being used.
The other licence holder advertised on Telegram after purchasing advertising space, although this was without collaboration with Analyse Master.
This licence holder also decided to stop advertising in the Telegram channel due to its association with using role models and marketing towards young adults.
Both licensees were found to have “acted correctly”, as per KSA regulations.
The regulator also noted that it doesn’t have the authority to sanction Analyse Master as the platform isn’t an operator.
Although the KSA found no violations on the part of Analyse Master, the regulator still expressed its concern at young people being targeted
KSA chair Michel Groothuizen said: “The current advertising bans apply specifically to gambling , and not to third parties such as Analyse Master.
“The fact that there are channels on social media that promote sports betting among young adults is a very undesirable and worrying development because young adults are vulnerable and susceptible to gambling addiction.
“I am pleased that State Secretary Teun Struycken also announced in his recent vision on gambling that he wants to adjust the advertising rules, so that we as a supervisory authority can also take active action against these types of parties.”
Back in February, Groothuizen warned Struycken’s proposals to increase the minimum betting age from 18 to 21 would only serve to drive young people towards black market operators.