The Dutch gambling regulator has taken action against 14 websites it said were promoting illegal and unlicensed online gaming.

Two Kansspelautoriteit investigations into 33 sites found 14 offered consumers access to the illegal market, with some sidestepping the Cruks national self-exclusion scheme.

The second KSA probe focused on affiliate marketing for illegal online casinos found 10 affiliates were in violation of the ban on untargeted advertising introduced in the Netherlands in July last year.

While five websites have “immediately stopped the violation” after a proposed sanction decision, activity on the other websites is “still ongoing,” the KSA said.

Its investigations also revealed that seven illegal casino were being advertised, with a sanctions process started against all seven providers.

“In addition, six online newspapers were contacted by telephone and letter,” the regulator said.

“The KSA considers it undesirable that the public is referred via these channels to affiliates who advertise illegal games of chance. After contacting the KSA, these parties took immediate action and the advertisements were no longer seen on the websites of the newspapers.”

However, the KSA said it has started a follow-up investigation into four affiliate websites that are targeting vulnerable players, with the owners of the websites seemingly “hiding.”