In reaction to the findings of a recent study of the country’s gambling rules, the Netherlands’ Minister of Legal Protection emphasized the need for new legislation to better control the industry.
In a letter to the House of Representatives, Minister Teun Struycken stated that the review identified substantial gaps in consumer protection and advocated a series of legislative measures aimed at minimizing the hazards connected with gambling, particularly among vulnerable groups.
The minister’s policy statement outlines a shift in the government’s approach to gambling regulation, which has been increasingly restricted since the market’s inception in 2021.
Struycken stated: “My view is essentially different in a number of ways. Experiences in the remote gambling sector demonstrate that the prior strategy is unsatisfactory. “I prioritize people’s safety.”Protecting kids and young adults is crucial to mitigate the harms of gambling and prevent it from becoming more widespread.
That protection is therefore fundamental in my perspective, and it affects not only the policy on remote gambling, but also the policy on physical gaming machines, scratch cards, lotteries, and tiny games of chance like bingo.”
While past policies were primarily concerned with player accountability and market-driven solutions, Struycken stated that the new vision will prioritize consumer protection and damage prevention.
The minister also stated that the existing Betting and Gaming Act (KOA) does not give adequate protection against the hazards posed by internet gaming, resulting in a surge in problem gambling, particularly among young individuals.
He stated that the basic idea of the new policy is to limit both player options and gambling providers’ freedom in determining protective measures.
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Key legislative changes
The minister has proposed many measures to improve gambling legislation.
One reform would be to alter the Betting and Gaming Act to shift the emphasis away from business interests and toward consumer safety.
Stronger limitations on high-risk gambling items, such as online slot machines, may be implemented to combat addiction.
Tighter advertising laws will adopt a “prohibited unless permitted” policy, allowing only necessary promotions.
The minimum age for participating in high-risk gambling activities will be raised to 21, which Struycken claims will strengthen safety for underage gamers.
The operators’ duty of care will be greatly increased, requiring them to follow stronger intervention rules to prevent addiction.
A central deposit restriction with financial capability checks will be implemented to prevent excessive losses and keep consumers from slipping into financial trouble.
Furthermore, regulators will have new enforcement tools to combat illicit gambling activities, allowing authorities to take greater action against unlicensed operators and their facilitators, including as payment processors and internet platforms.
The minister plans to finalize detailed policy ideas in 2025, with the goal of submitting a formal legislative package in 2026.
The Dutch government plans to increase its efforts to combat the illegal market
The minister also stated that he was looking into how the government could combat unlawful gaming and that he would try to get the problem on the European agenda.
This would include limiting operators’ access to banking services, internet platforms, and other stakeholders.
In response to the letter, the Netherlands Online Gambling Association (NOGA) replied.
The trade association’s acting head, Eric Konings, stated: “NOGA members advocate for a safe and responsible gambling offer. That is why we endorse the idea of shifting gambling policy away from a singular focus on addiction prevention and toward preventing gambling-related harm.
“Gambling should be a source of entertainment, not problems.”We are particularly delighted to learn that combatting illegal supply is being given higher attention. We have been concerned about the scale of the illicit market for some time, and according to numbers released today by the Gaming Authority, half of every euro risked in the Netherlands is now wagered with illegal providers.
“The regulator indicates that it needs more resources to take a stand against this, and we hope that they will get them. “Several Cabinet policy suggestions, such as raising the minimum age to 21, have the potential to exacerbate the present flight to the illegal market. “However, we will await the further elaboration of this before we can give a detailed response.”
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