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.
The Netherlands’ gambling landscape is undergoing a significant transformation as the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the country’s gaming authority, ramps up efforts to protect players. In a move welcomed by the online gambling sector, the KSA has launched a specialized unit called Duty of Care Online, aimed at intensifying scrutiny of online operators’ responsible gaming practices.
This development comes on the heels of a revealing probe conducted in September, which exposed considerable inconsistencies in how ten online gambling providers interpreted their duty of care responsibilities. Reacting to these findings, the KSA has broadened its Responsible Gaming policy, expanding its oversight of online operators.
New Unit to Spearhead Enhanced Oversight
The Duty of Care Online unit is set to conduct extensive investigations into providers showing notable discrepancies in control data and respond to player-reported issues. This team will be tasked with ensuring compliance with updated duty of care and policy regulations designed to better identify and mitigate gambling addiction risks.
KSA Chair Michel Groothuizen underscored the significance of this initiative, stating, “Our annual plan and the Supervisory Agenda 2024 clearly prioritize duty of care compliance. This new unit strengthens our supervisory capabilities and aligns with our ‘playing safe’ mission.”
Brick-and-Mortar Venues Also Under the Microscope
The KSA’s efforts extend beyond the digital realm. Recent inspections of 20 gaming halls across the Netherlands revealed that while most establishments recognized their duty of care, there was room for improvement in implementation. The authority noted that many venues were aware of regular players’ circumstances and behaviors but lacked effective intervention strategies.
Upcoming Protective Measures
New player protection measures will be introduced in October, including monthly deposit caps of €300 for players aged 18-24 and €700 for those over 24. The KSA plans to use its findings to enhance duty of care practices in gaming halls nationwide.
Areas identified for improvement include establishing maximum playing times at 24-hour arcades and enhancing monitoring of excessive gaming behaviors. The KSA has communicated specific improvement points to inspected gaming halls and plans to issue comprehensive guidance to all permit holders later this year.
Industry Response
The online gambling industry has expressed support for these initiatives, acknowledging the crucial role of robust player protection measures. Under Michel Groothuizen’s leadership, the KSA is set to make substantial progress in safeguarding players across both online and land-based gambling platforms.
As these changes unfold, the Dutch gambling landscape is poised for a safer, more responsible future, balancing the industry’s growth with enhanced player protection.
