At this weekend’s Zandvoort race, the Stake F1 team has been dealt a blow by Dutch officials, who have imposed a ban on the team’s branding.
After acquiring the naming rights from the outgoing Alfa Romeo sponsorship, gambling company Stake linked up with the Switzerland-based Sauber team starting this season. Despite betting advertising being legal in the Netherlands, Stake’s website usage is not.
Without a local operating license and evidence of Dutch residents accessing its services, the Kansspelautoriteit Dutch Gaming Authority (Ksa) has laid down strict orders for the team and Formula 1 to drop the branding during the Dutch Grand Prix.
The firm found itself in a gridlock after a government agency statement declared: “The Sauber Formula 1 team competes in most international races as ‘Stake F1 Team’. Stake is an international gambling provider and main sponsor of the team. Stake does not have a license from the Ksa and is therefore not allowed to offer gambling in the Netherlands.”
Tightening grip on regulatory compliance, the statement further noted: “According to the gambling legislation, it is prohibited to offer games of chance without a license, to advertise these illegal games of chance or to promote participation in them. Online gambling providers without a license must therefore take measures to prevent participation from the Netherlands, for example by applying geoblocks. Dutch players will then not be able to reach the website.”
The Dutch gambling authority, Ksa, has voiced strong concerns about the presence of Stake’s advertising during Formula 1 events in the Netherlands, leading to a significant decision. The Ksa says: “Stake has applied such a geoblock. Despite the measures taken by Stake, the Ksa still sees participation by Dutch players. The Ksa therefore finds it undesirable that illegal gambling is advertised at a Dutch event with the reach and size of Formula 1.”
In addition to this, the Ksa highlighted worry for younger audiences: “Also because the event attracts a lot of attention among vulnerable groups [minors and young adults]. The board of the Ksa has therefore urgently requested both Sauber and the organization of the Dutch Grand Prix not to drive under the name Stake and not to advertise for this provider.”
Consequently, Stake will have to compete as ‘Kick Sauber’ at Zandvoort, a move forced upon them before in Australia, Spain, and Belgium due to local laws against gambling promotions.
Stake will once again have to keep their brands off the racing tracks as guidelines also restrict gambling adverts in Qatar, host of the championship’s penultimate race.
Under a two-year contract with Sauber, Stake holds naming rights a temporary arrangement set to last until Sauber transitions into an Audi factory team in 2026, marking Audi’s inaugural F1 entry.
