The Dutch government, led by the State Secretary for Legal Protection, Teun Struycken, is about to introduce a new gambling bill by the end of 2025. This new legislation will increase the age limit for online slots to 21, aiming to strengthen protections for younger adults.
Background and Development
Last December, Struycken reported his ongoing efforts to overhaul the nation’s gambling regulations to the Dutch parliament. Following a thorough review that began last year, a proposal is expected to be presented to policymakers by March. The government’s findings, published in November, criticized the existing measures’ effectiveness in promoting responsible gambling and protecting consumers from gambling-related harm. These findings underscored the need for a legislative refresh to meet the goals in the Remote Gambling Act.
Core Objectives and Legislative Updates
During a recent update to parliament, dated February 14, Struycken highlighted that the foremost goal of the forthcoming bill is comprehensive protection against the hazards of gambling for all citizens, including those who have never gambled. Discussions are ongoing about whether some new protective measures, such as enhanced operator duty of care and tightened restrictions on gambling advertisements, could be implemented ahead of schedule.
Specific Measures in the Proposed Bill
Key components of Struycken’s proposed legislation include raising the minimum age for “risky” gambling activities to 21 and introducing a universal deposit limit. The legislation also aims to enforce strict rules on advertising to reduce the appeal of online gambling drastically. The Gambling Authority (KSA) is set to receive expanded powers for enforcement and supervision, which include blocking access to illegal gambling sites.
Impact Assessment and Current Challenges
Since the implementation of mandatory deposit limits across the industry in October, excessive gambling deposits have significantly reduced. However, the KSA has expressed concerns about high-spending players potentially migrating to unregulated providers. Despite these challenges, the rate of legal gambling participation remains high, demonstrating the effectiveness of current regulatory measures even as areas for improvement are identified.
A New Direction for Player Protection
Struycken’s legislative approach is comprehensive, focusing not only on preventing gambling addiction but also on addressing other related harms, such as financial indebtedness. Special attention is being paid to protecting minors and young adults, identified as particularly susceptible to risky gambling behaviors and the potential for addiction. These efforts are informed by recent studies and warnings from research bodies like the Scientific Research and Data Centre (WODC), which have highlighted vulnerabilities within these demographic groups.
Conclusion and Forward Look
The proposed changes in Dutch gambling legislation represent a significant shift toward a more regulated and responsible gambling environment. As Struycken prepares to finalize the draft legislation by the year’s end, the potential impacts of these reforms are anticipated with considerable interest both within the Netherlands and across the broader European community. This legislative effort signals a strong commitment to curbing the adverse effects of gambling while ensuring a safer, more responsible gambling landscape for all Dutch citizens.
Strategic Rollout Planned for Q1 2025
Realistic Games is strengthening its position in the Netherlands’ iGaming sector through a new partnership with established operator Bingoal. The collaboration will introduce Realistic’s slot portfolio to Dutch players through a measured rollout, with five titles being integrated weekly over a one-month period.
Initial Game Selection
The first wave of games includes several of Realistic’s notable titles: Book of Charms, Hit the Top, Diamonds Stick ’em Up, Catch 22: Frozen Fortune, and Top Tenner. This careful selection represents the developer’s diverse gaming portfolio, which will complement Bingoal’s existing casino offerings.
Market Context
The partnership holds particular significance given Bingoal’s established presence in the Benelux region. As a family-owned Belgian company with over three decades of experience, Bingoal operates both a network of betting outlets and land-based locations alongside its online gaming platforms in the Netherlands.
Recent Expansion Track Record
In August 2024, Realistic Games partnered with NRG Bet to bring its portfolio to UK players, including titles such as Maxiplier and Fortune Fortress. The company further expanded its Dutch presence through an agreement with Circus.nl Sport & Casino. Earlier in 2024, they also launched titles including Book of Midas and Chicken or the Egg with UK operator Slots Temple.
Industry Perspectives
Dany Salmon, Online Casino Product Manager at Bingoal, emphasized the strategic value of the partnership: “Its diverse range of titles perfectly complements our existing offering and reinforces our commitment to providing a top-tier gaming experience. This collaboration further strengthens our position in the Dutch market.”
The integration of Realistic Games’ titles on the Bingoal platform is expected to be completed within a month, representing another step in the company’s games roadmap into 2025.
On April 14, 2025, Google is set to implement a comprehensive update to its Gambling and Games advertising policy. This update is designed to introduce more stringent controls and clearer definitions within the advertising guidelines, particularly targeting the clarity for advertisers and aligning with country-specific laws.
Key Changes in Policy Guidelines
The revision will bring about significant changes, particularly affecting how gambling content is presented and regulated. Websites that lead users to gambling services or online gambling platforms will now be categorized distinctly as ‘promoting gambling’. This classification aims to regulate affiliate and aggregator sites more strictly, demanding they stick to purely informational content unless they adhere to new rigorous standards.
Country-Specific Regulations and Certifications
Google’s policy update will also enforce stricter country-specific regulations, detailing where gambling advertising is permitted and where it is explicitly banned, with countries like Bulgaria, China, and Egypt on the restricted list. Furthermore, the policy will clarify the certifications required for social casino games, distinguishing them from real-money gambling offerings.
Enforcement and Compliance
The upcoming changes emphasize compliance, with Google requiring all gambling advertisers to keep their licenses and registrations current and reported. Notable focus areas include the promotion of games like Mahjong in the Asia-Pacific region, which will face direct restrictions under the new policy.
Specifics on Social Casino Games and Traditional Gambling
The new guidelines will separate ‘social casino games’ from traditional gambling activities, applying specific rules to each category. Advertisers will need separate certifications to promote social casino games, ensuring they do not cross the boundaries into real-money gambling spaces.
Operational Impact and Preparations
As the implementation date nears, advertisers are advised to review their advertising strategies and prepare for compliance with the new guidelines. Google’s updated policy reflects a shift towards more responsible advertising practices, demanding higher accountability and stricter adherence to legal standards.
The policy revision marks a significant shift in how gambling advertising is managed on Google’s platforms, introducing a layered approach to compliance and enforcement. Advertisers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the changes to ensure seamless transitions and continued effectiveness in their advertising campaigns.
The Brazilian Ministry of Finance, through its Prizes and Betting Secretariat (SPA), has announced in the Official Gazette of the Union a significant expansion for the betting industry. Effective from February 12, a total of 37 betting companies have been awarded permanent licenses to operate until December 31, 2029. This significant regulatory shift, marking a pivotal move towards a more structured betting environment, comes with an investment of R$30 million by each licensed operator.
Enhancements in Regulatory Practices
Since the formal inauguration of the regulated sports betting and online gaming market on January 1, 2025, the SPA has mandated the use of a “.bet.br” domain for all operators. This requirement, alongside stringent measures such as banning credit for online bets and mandatory bettor identification, demonstrates Brazil’s dedication to fostering a safe and responsible gaming environment. The deployment of facial recognition technology and advanced financial flow controls further emphasize the commitment to ethical practices within the sector.
Stakeholder Engagement and Feedback
To further refine the betting regulations, the SPA has launched a public consultation process through the Participa + Brasil Platform, inviting feedback from stakeholders for the 2025-2026 period. Additionally, an online public hearing is slated for February 21, providing a direct platform for discussion and potential adjustments in the regulatory framework.
Expansion of Licensed Operators
The recent authorization of 21 more online betting licenses has increased the total number of fully authorized operators to 35. This list includes major international brands such as Betano and Bet365 and prominent local operators like Aposta Ganha and Betsul. The granting of these licenses underscores the robust validation processes and compliance with Brazilian betting laws that each operator must adhere to.
Challenges and Procedural Adjustments
The SPA has faced challenges navigating the complexities of a regulated betting environment, particularly in the licensing process. These challenges have been addressed by implementing Normative Instruction No 3/2025 on January 14, which aims to standardize the certification process and alleviate earlier procedural hurdles. This regulation temporarily resolved setbacks and is part of a broader strategy to adapt the regulatory framework to the sector’s rapid technological advancements.
As Brazil continues to develop its regulatory framework for the betting industry, these updates promise a more accountable and transparent betting environment and a thriving future for legal betting in the country. With 173 brands now authorized to operate, and an ongoing commitment to regulatory improvements, Brazil is setting a standard for responsible and regulated betting operations.
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Expanding Horizons with St8.io
Playzia, a leading name in the iGaming industry, has recently cemented a strategic partnership with St8.io, an advanced casino game aggregator. This pivotal alliance is set to integrate Playzia’s exciting game portfolio—including titles like Billionaire Wolf, Cosmos Cash, and Sweet Candy Fortune—into St8.io’s platform. This move not only broadens the availability of Playzia’s games but also marks a significant step in their mission to innovate and captivate a global audience.
Vlad Modorcea, Chief Product Officer at Playzia, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: “We are thrilled to partner with St8.io, whose cutting-edge technology and extensive network will allow us to reach new markets and players.”
Licensing Success and Market Expansion
The collaboration gains further significance as St8.io has been expanding its footprint in regulated markets, recently securing licenses from the Isle of Man and recognition from the Malta Gaming Authority. These developments underscore the aggregator’s commitment to compliance and high-quality solutions, enhancing its partnership appeal.
Innovative Ventures: Playzia and ITV
Adding a creative twist to its strategic moves, Playzia has also entered into a partnership with ITV to develop a series of online games inspired by the hit reality TV show, Love Island. This multi-year agreement is poised to deliver ten new games, expanding Playzia’s offerings into branded content and tapping into the vast fanbase of the show.
SOFTSWISS: A Game-Changing Collaboration
Further expanding its market presence, Playzia announced a new partnership with SOFTSWISS, a leader in iGaming software solutions. This collaboration will see Playzia’s portfolio featured on SOFTSWISS’s award-winning aggregation platform, allowing even broader global access to its innovative games.
Nikita Keino, Head of Partnerships at SOFTSWISS, highlighted the benefits of this partnership: “We welcome Playzia as our new partner, and we are proud to expand our portfolio with their exciting games.”
Future Prospects and Innovations
Looking ahead, Playzia is not slowing down. The company has revealed plans to launch three new games each month, continuously enhancing their offerings with unique gameplay mechanics and diverse game types, including crash, table, instant, and probability games.
With each strategic partnership and licensing achievement, Playzia is not just keeping up with the industry trends but is setting new benchmarks for innovation and player engagement in the iGaming world. As 2025 approaches, Playzia’s aggressive expansion and creative partnerships signal a year full of potential and exciting new gaming experiences for players around the globe.
