Dutch gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit(KSA) remains committed to preventing problem gambling and will continue to be tough against operators that fail to comply with their duty of care obligations. That’s the key message from KSA Chair René Jansen during his speech at the recently-concluded 2022 Amsterdam Gambling & Awareness Congress.
Licensed Online Operators Increase to 24
Providing an update on the latest developments in the Dutch online gambling market a year after its launch, Jansen said that the number of licensed online operators in the country has doubled to 24 since October 1, 2021.
The rapid increase in licensees may seem “contradictory” to the KSA’s efforts to prevent problem gambling, but Jansen noted that the law enables them to “exert more influence” on gambling harm prevention by supervising the licensed market.
Player Protection Top Priority for KSA
He emphasized that consumer protection and preventing addiction remain top priorities for the KSA, and that licensees must fully comply with their obligations. Failure to do so could result in tough punishments, Jansen warned.
A massive €400,000 fine imposed by the KSA on Toto Online in November for breaching advertising rules should serve as a warning for other operators.
In the latter part of his speech, Jansen also highlighted the importance of cooperation between the government and industry stakeholders to combat gambling addiction.