A package of measures aimed at improving player protection will be presented in the Netherlands later this month amid a report alleging misleading practices by operators.
The scheduled release of the measures has been given more attention after a Consumers' Association report, which has been seen by the Ministry for Justice and Security but not made public, revealed state-owned Holland Casino and Nederlandse Loterij are among six operators allegedly misleading customers around bet limits and bonuses.
The report, the contents of which were debated in the Dutch parliament this week, alleges that Holland Casino chooses to hide certain conditions associated with offers and it claims some online providers set the standard bet amount to a high value, requiring players to lower the stake.
Franc Weerwind, the minister for Legal Protection, was questioned in the Dutch parliament on the Consumers' Association’s report.
He said the December progress report will present a package of measures to “help players consciously set their gambling limits and explore ways to alert players to their gambling behaviour.”
Weerwind added he is also considering measures to “prevent players from being induced to bet more than the minimum.”
“I am working with the KSA to determine how legislation and regulations can be improved to clarify and strengthen the frameworks that gambling providers must adhere to,” he said. “I will provide further details on this in the progress report of December 2023.”
Weerwind said his department has launched a “preliminary investigation” after the claims from the Consumers' Association and that a “more extensive supervision investigation may be launched if necessary.”
'Concerning' Netherlands operator claims
The Consumers' Association’s report also alleges that online operators continue to offer players bonuses when they have opted out.
“I find this a concerning signal,” Weerwind said when pressed on the claim.
“Gambling providers must allow players to indicate that they do not want to receive bonuses. Furthermore, it is prohibited to offer advertisements or bonuses during gameplay.
“It is particularly reprehensible if licensed gambling providers violate rules intended to protect vulnerable players. The question of whether providers have violated laws and regulations and the potential enforcement of these rules lies with the KSA as the gambling regulator.”
Asked if he agrees with Consumers' Association director Sandra Molenaar that the goal of legalising the online gambling market – to prevent problem gambling and protect consumers – is not being achieved in “any way,” he said: “From the article and my conversation with the Consumers' Association, it seems that they are concerned about consumer protection.
“I share these concerns, and this signal reinforces my commitment to taking measures within the legal framework. Ongoing and planned measures focus on the duty of care and playing limits, as well as awareness activities.”
