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Dutch gaming regulator Kansspelautoriteit has handed down new regulations. They are requiring operators to include a responsible gaming tagline on all online gambling materials. Additionally, the changes must be implemented by April 2022.
Dutch Kansspelautoriteit Hands Down New Warning Label Requirements
Kansspelautoriteit, the Netherlands’ gaming regulatory body, has passed new, stricter regulations for operators. All online gambling activities must be accompanied by a tagline that encourages responsible gambling.
The KSA is requiring all online gambling operators to include a new warning label on all websites, marketing and materials targeting Dutch players.
The tagline reads: “What does gambling cost you? Stop on time. +18.” Additionally, it must be incorporated into all marketing, advertising and website materials for online gambling. This new rule is similar to the warning labels that accompany tobacco and liquor in the Netherlands.
The KSA has determined that this new wording should replace the current tagline: “Play consciously. +18.” Operators must make the change by April 1, 2022. Any online gambling operators out of compliance will be penalized and heavily fined.
Dutch regulators believe that the updated tagline will be a more effective campaign for responsible, legal gambling. The wording for this new slogan was approved by the Dutch Minister For Legal Protections, Sander Dekker.
This new language comes in the immediate wake of the Netherlands passing the revised Act on Remote Gambling in October 2021. The introduction of this tagline comes via a partnership with the Trimbose Institute. The nonprofit institution’s primary focus is on supporting mental health and addiction.
Dutch Regulators Are Taking a Proactive Approach to Online Gaming Safety
The Dutch online gambling market has been very tight and slow to open its doors to operators. The Netherlands has been a difficult market to crack, even for the most reputable names in the business. The Dutch government has moved at a glacial pace in regards to passing online gambling regulations. Because of this, operators have grown impatient.
After taking four years to approve online gaming laws, the Netherlands is already overseeing the industry with a tight fist. So far, the KSA has already handed down a fine to one operator for misleading gambling advertisements. In addition, they are in the process of prosecuting over a dozen affiliate websites for breaking the rules.
The operator who was fined has since fallen back into line. However, it remains to be seen how the targeted affiliate sites will react to the penalties.
In a recent statement regarding the fines, the KSA noted that “Offering games of chance without a license is prohibited; the same applies to advertising games of chance that are not licensed.” This includes any links to casinos and betting sites that are not specifically licensed in the Netherlands.
The fact that the Netherlands has awarded only ten operating licenses so far shows how stringent the application process is. Even major names like Betsson and Kindred did not make it into the initial round of approvals. However, these operators are expected to be awarded licenses in the upcoming round of approvals.
A Look Forward to Where the Dutch Online Gambling Market is Headed
The Dutch government may have been dragging its feet on regulating online gambling to a certain extent. However, part of the delay stems from regulatory meetings being postponed for much of 2020 and 2021.
Currently, only the following ten casinos have licenses to serve Dutch players:
- TOTO Online
- FPO Netherlands
- Holland Casino
- GG Poker
- Play North
- Tombola
- Bet365
- Bingoal Netherlands
- Betent
- LiveScore Malta
Each of the companies listed above had to pay an initial application fee of €48,000. In addition to this, dozens of other operators also paid to submit license applications. This process brought in a considerable sum of money for the Netherlands.
The KSA has said that additional rounds of licenses will be awarded to other operators who have applied. However, the Netherlands is still one of the last European countries to legalize online gambling operations.
It is worth noting that state-owned Holland Casino will not hold the same monopoly status it has over land-based casinos. Since opening up the iGaming market, the government has chosen to bring in commercial operators.
However, there is a caveat to this. There have been several iGaming websites that have skirted regulations and allowed Dutch players. These sites will eventually be allowed to apply for legal licensure, but only after a two-year penalty period.
The KSA strongly encourages Dutch players to switch to a licensed operator. This is so regulatory safeguards for responsible gaming can protect players.