The Netherlands’ regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has issued an updated Responsible Gaming Policy Rule, setting a new deposit limit of €300 for players aged 18-24 and €700 for players over 24.

Announcing the revised rules on June 3, KSA highlighted the new deposit limits as a significant advancement in fostering a safer gambling environment for young people.

Immediate Implementation and Future Changes

The Responsible Gaming Policy Rule was published in the Netherlands’ Official Gazette and took immediate effect. However, KSA noted that specific policies, including the deposit limits, will be implemented starting October 1. This delay allows for necessary IT adjustments and gives operators time to recruit new employees to manage the changes.

Starting October 1, operators must conduct financial checks on young players (ages 18-24) depositing €300 or more to ensure they can afford to gamble that amount. For those over 24, this threshold is set at €700. If a player cannot afford the deposit, the operator must block any further deposits for that month.

Operators can only deviate from the €300 limit in exceptional circumstances, such as for professional poker players needing to deposit larger amounts for tournaments.

Stricter Real-Time Monitoring

The revised Responsible Gaming Policy Rule also mandates stricter “real-time” monitoring of player behavior. Both land-based and online operators must intervene within an hour of detecting potentially harmful gambling behavior, such as excessive participation. This 24-hour monitoring aims to prevent gambling-related harm by addressing signs like:

• Gambling for extended hours at night
• Continuous betting
• Repeated depositing

The KSA defines gambling for over six hours a day as a potential sign of gambling harm.

“With this policy rule, the Gaming Authority aims to further flesh out the laws and regulations that apply to the recruitment and advertising activities of license holders and to the addiction prevention policy and its implementation by license holders, where applicable,” states the publication in the Official Gazette.

Rationale for Rule Amendments

In September 2023, KSA conducted a study on how ten operators managed their duty of care. The study involved collecting data on player monitoring, player behavior, and addiction prevention policies. The regulator found that operators did not consistently intervene with at-risk players in a timely manner.

The study’s findings, along with recent changes to gambling advertising rules and a role model ban, prompted KSA to draft amendments to its Responsible Gambling Policy Rule. The draft underwent a consultation process, receiving 33 responses from operators, trade bodies, and addiction experts. Most feedback focused on addiction prevention.

Netherlands’ Ongoing Regulatory Efforts

The amendments to the Responsible Gaming Policy are part of the Netherlands’ broader efforts to tighten gambling regulations. In May, a coalition agreement proposed raising the gambling tax from 30.5% to 37.8%. In April, the Dutch House of Representatives voted to ban both online gambling advertising and “high risk” online gambling, including slots.

Additionally, research by the Keurmerk Responsible Affiliates (KVA) revealed that illegal operators in the Netherlands accepted bets from minors. Peter-Paul de Goeij, director of the Netherlands Online Gambling Association, anticipated a “rigorous” response from KSA following these findings.

KSA has also imposed several fines on unlicensed operators offering their services in the Netherlands. Notably, Sarah Eternal was fined €280,000 per week for operating without a license, and Casbit received a warning for a similar offense.

Source: “NL regulator sets €300 deposit limit for players aged 18-24”. iGaming Business. June 3, 2024

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Crown Melbourne has declared its commitment to becoming the world’s safest casino with the help of a groundbreaking initiative that comes in the form of a new carded play system.

Crown Melbourne Mandates Swipe Cards for Player Limits

The casino, once embroiled in controversy following the 2021 Finkelstein royal commission, has announced that poker machine players will now be required to use swipe cards to establish binding limits on both losses and time spent gambling. 

Crown Resorts chief executive, Ciaran Carruthers, expressed the casino’s ambition to operate the safest casinos globally, emphasizing the transformative nature of this pioneering shift, reported the Australian media outlet The Age.

Effective immediately, patrons utilizing Crown Melbourne’s 2500 poker machines will need to employ a swipe card to determine their maximum allowable losses and set time constraints. This innovative approach aims to promote responsible gambling and empower players to manage their gaming activities more conscientiously.

Additionally, players will receive detailed player activity statements, providing insights into their ongoing spending and playing habits. This move is part of Crown Melbourne’s commitment to fostering an environment of transparency and responsibility.

Crown Resorts Unveils Ambitious Plans for Statewide Gaming Reform

The new system is not limited to Crown Melbourne alone. Plans are underway to extend it to the state’s other 26,380 poker machines in pubs, clubs, and RSLs. 

This development coincides with a challenging period for the casino, as recent reports indicate an investigation into allegations that CEO Ciaran Carruthers intervened to permit blocked patrons to gamble.

Crown Resorts, having faced a substantial $100 million fine last year for allowing prolonged gambling at its Southbank complex, remains under scrutiny for past practices. This year, Crown Resorts also got slapped with a substantial AUD450 million ($309.8 million) fine by the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) for significant lapses in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism measures at Crown Perth and Crown Melbourne. 

This move towards heightened player protection aligns with broader industry reforms. Former premier Daniel Andrews previously announced stringent gambling and anti-money laundering measures in August, affecting all pubs and clubs. 

Back in September, Crown Resorts introduced a Premium Player Program at its Crown Melbourne and Crown Sydney casinos, excluding Crown Perth, in a strategic move to rebuild its. The program, directly overseen by Crown Resorts, enforced strict eligibility criteria, collaborating with regulators to ensure compliance with post-inquiry regulations, reflecting the company’s commitment to responsible gaming and ethical practices under the leadership of CEO Ciaran Carruthers.

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Since the start of the year, the National Football League (NFL), has implemented penalties against approximately a dozen players for alleged breaches of its gambling policies. Now, the League confirmed changes related to its policies, making some of the rules tougher while easing others. On Friday, the NFL unveiled changes regarding its policies which were adjusted in collaboration with the NFL Players Association.

Per the latest changes, the NFL would impose tougher penalties for players who bet on League games. Such may include an indefinite suspension for a minimum of one year. In cases when a player wagers on their own team, the suspension would be two years.

On the other hand, any attempts at match-fixing or successful manipulation would be subject to a permanent ban from the NFL. Similarly, providing tips or insider information may result in indefinite suspension, a minimum of one year. The same penalty would be applicable for proxy betting.

The biggest change in the gambling policy involves betting on sports while traveling or while at team facilities. Under the new changes, first-time offenders would be subject to a two-game suspension without pay. Second-time offenders would be penalized with a six-game suspension without pay while third-time violators of the policy would be subject to at least one year suspension without pay.

Three Suspended Players Reinstated

In a joint statement, the NFL and the NFLPA confirmed that they are dedicated to ensuring the integrity of the sport. The NFL added that it analyzes and improves its policies periodically. Moreover, the League said that the changes are communicated with the NFLPA.

“The NFL and NFL Players Association share a longstanding and unwavering commitment to protecting the integrity of the game. The NFL periodically reviews the gambling policy in consultation with the NFLPA and clubs to ensure it is responsive to changing circumstances and fully addresses this commitment,“

reveals a statement by the NFL and NFLPA

Considering the changes to the gambling policies, the NFL confirmed that it is reinstating three players who were suspended under the previous policies. As a result, Tennessee Titans offensive lineman Nicholas Petit-Frere and Detroit Lions receiver Jameson Williams were reinstated effective Monday. Under the previous gambling policy, the duo would’ve stayed suspended for two more games.

On the other hand, the free agent Stanley Berryhill would also be reinstated, effective Tuesday. Similar to Petit-Frere and Williams, Berryhill was suspended from the NFL for a total of six games.

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Aristocrat Leisure, a global gaming content and technology company, just suffered another devastating cyberattack. As a result, personal information belonging to employees was leaked.

According to the company, a criminal hacker exploited a newly identified vulnerability in MOVEit, a third-party file-sharing software employed by Aristocrat.

The announcement claims that the hacker leveraged the vulnerability to extract data from a company server. Unfortunately, personal information belonging to Aristocrat employees was also compromised in this process.

To make matters worse, the criminals have already published extracts of the stolen data on the web.

As a company committed to high probity standards and the protection of its employees’ privacy, Aristocrat took immediate action to patch up the aforementioned vulnerability.

The company listed the steps it has taken to protect its business from further harm. First of all, Aristocrat immediately took action to contain the incident and remediate the MOVEit software vulnerability.

In addition, the company contacted law enforcement bodies and relevant regulators about the incident. At the same time, Aristocrat is now working with independent experts to determine the nature of the stolen data and mitigate the damages.

Finally, Aristocrat advised all of its employees to protect their data and offered them complimentary credit monitoring and identity theft protection services.

Aristocrat added that it has assessed the potential impact on its business. The company is certain that its quick action will mitigate the damages. The company vowed to remain vigilant and serve the interest of its employees and stakeholders.

Based on the information available as of this date, Aristocrat expects low business impact with the execution of an appropriate risk management and mitigation plan. We will continue to manage this incident proactively and comprehensively, in the best interests of our people, business and other stakeholders.

Aristocrat’s Business Is Doing Well Despite the Attack

The cyberattack aside, Aristocrat’s business has been doing well, as affirmed by its stellar financial results. In H1, the company metrics skyrocketed, highlighting the efficiency of Aristocrat’s business strategy.

The company is currently exploring options for further growth, including the proposed acquisition of NeoGames. Aristocrat’s chief product officer, Matthew Primmer, argued, that the billion-dollar deal will enable Aristocrat to enter the iGaming and iLottery verticals. The arrangement secured the approval of an overwhelming majority of NeoGames’ shareholders.

Meanwhile, Aristocrat prepares to launch its first NFL slot machine in September 2023, just in time for the upcoming football season.

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Macau, known as the gambling capital of the world, is set to tighten regulations on gaming credit with the introduction of a new bill. Under the proposed legislation titled “Legal regime of credit concession for gambling in casinos,” the Macau SAR Government aims to crack down on any breach of the credit law by concessionaires. 

Gaming Credit Regulation Violations Carry Hefty Fines for Concessionaires and Junkets

The bill outlines that only concessionaires will be authorized to issue gaming credit, while casino management firms will be strictly prohibited from engaging in such practices, reported Asgam. However, licensed junkets will be permitted to enter into agreements with concessionaires, enabling them to extend credit to players.

To ensure proper supervision, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ), Macau’s gaming regulator, will oversee the credit activities of concessionaires and any associated junkets. The bill empowers DICJ’s supervisory staff to conduct monitoring duties at any given time without prior notice. It emphasizes that concessionaires must grant access to the monitoring officers and facilitate their work.

As part of the bill’s penalty scheme, severe consequences await those who violate the regulations. If a concessionaire conducts credit operations through a third party or transfers credit qualifications, they could face fines ranging from MOP2 million to MOP5 million ($246,000 to $615,000). Junkets found to be in violation of relevant regulations may be subject to fines ranging from MOP600,000 to MOP1.5 million ($109,000 to $185,000).

Enhanced Obligations for Credit Entities in Macau’s Proposed Gaming Credit Law

In addition, the bill introduces an article, which outlines the general obligations of credit entities. According to this provision, both concessionaires and gaming junkets must establish a robust system of credit risk control and conduct credit business in a prudent manner. They are also required to maintain a clear record of credit activities and implement data protection measures. Furthermore, a mechanism for handling customer complaints must be established to ensure effective resolution.

The proposed amendments to the credit law were initially announced by the Macau Executive Council, and the latest version of the bill has been made available on the website of the Macau Legislative Assembly for public scrutiny. DICJ Director Adriano Marques Ho confirmed that the bill is still in draft form and will be subjected to scrutiny and voting by the Legislative Assembly.

With these new regulations, Macau seeks to strengthen its oversight of gaming credit activities and ensure the integrity of the industry. By holding concessionaires and junkets accountable for their credit operations, the government aims to maintain a transparent and responsible gambling environment in the region.

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