Tech giant Apple has removed dozens of applications for online casinos and betting from the App Store following the request from the Dutch Gaming Authority Kansspelautoriteit (KSA).
Even though some online gambling operators were already banned from offering their services in Holland, their apps were still available in the App Store. Due to the recent move by Apple, Dutch nationals will no longer have the opportunity to download gambling apps, including those from companies such as Unibet and Bwin.
According to the Dutch Gambling Authority, 55 Apps have been removed from the App Store, blocking at least 10,000 illegal downloads.
“One of the app stores heeded the request of the Gaming Authority and deleted initially 49 and later six so-called real-money gambling apps,” the KSA stated on its website.
The apps were not offered by Google.
Currently Dutch Government is working on a new legislation which will legalise online gambling apps for companies licensed to operate in the Netherlands. The legislation is expected to be in effect by 2018.