Dutch Gambling Authority chairman René Jansen has reiterated his doubts about the merits of a potential blanket ban on gambling advertising.
The measure has been voted for by a majority of the Dutch House of Representatives and the decision to scrap the move or implement a ban rests with the Dutch government minister for Legal Protection, Franc Weerwind.
The basis of the motion, put forward by Dutch MP Michiel van Nispen, centres on the issue of problem gambling and the blanket ban would upgrade current advertising restrictions made law in July 2023.
Kansspelautoriteit chief Jansen, speaking at the Gaming in Holland conference on Thursday, said: “If it was up to a majority of the House, all gambling adverts would be banned, but I have already expressed my doubts as to whether this would be appropriate.”
He noted that the Remote Gambling Act enables licensees to offer an “appropriate and attractive range of games” in order to nullify the presence of the illegal market.
This, Jansen said, would “would only be possible if the players in question are properly aware of whether any game is legal or not and that would surely require some form of advertising.”
The current advertising restrictions in the Netherlands requires operators to ensure that the proportion of young adult players who see gambling advertising is not above five per cent.
Jansen said this is “difficult to manage in practice” as regards implementation and supervision and confirmed the KSA is in talks with the government about the “difficulties associated with this legislation.”
“The number of visits to gambling sites by people who are not gambling themselves has fallen sharply, and I see that as a positive development,” Jansen added.
Ahead of the summer of sports betting which includes the Netherlands’ participation in Euro 2024, Jansen issued a warning to operators to “choose moderation” in their marketing promotions.
“For the gambling market, which is under so much scrutiny, it seems crucial to me that everyone shows their best side.”
For operators who “nevertheless try to push the boundaries and possibly even go beyond them,” Jansen said the KSA will “focus on quick interventions and short, sharp hits to stop any violations in their tracks. Major or repeated infringements may also result in penalty proceedings.”
He also confirmed that the KSA is setting up a new department enforcing new rules on operators’ duty of care.
Kansspelautoriteit’s Online Duty of Care department will have a “short, sharp hits” approach in issuing warning letters and imposing “significant” sanctions and penalty procedures.
Jansen’s appearance at the Gaming in Holland conference came a few days after the KSA’s publication of new rules on deposit limits and affordability checks on players in the Netherlands, aimed at boosting player protection and tackling problem gambling.
Operators must now check whether players aged between 18 and 24 who have deposited €300 can afford to deposit more before they are allowed to do so.
The same criteria apply to players aged over 25 at the higher threshold of €700.
Jansen said the KSA has “committed” the Online Duty of Care department will be operational by September.
This will involve the recruitment of between 10 and 15 new members of staff.
