Social media site Facebook has agreed to stop adverts for gambling sites targeting its Dutch users, according to the Dutch gambling authority Kansspelautoriteit.

Facebook has agreed to ‘conform to Dutch legislation which states it is not allowed to encourage illegal gambling’, the authority said in a statement.

This is an important step in combating illegal gambling and discouraging youngsters from taking up the habit, said spokesman Paul Tang. ‘Facebook is a low threshold social network with easy access to youngsters,’ he said. ‘By taking this step, the organisation is showing it takes its social responsibilities seriously.’

State monopoly

The authority was set up last year to monitor illegal gambling sites and has the power to levy significant fines.

The Dutch state company Holland Casino currently has a monopoly on gambling. However, earlier this month the government said it is to open up the online gambling market to competition in 2015.