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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Peter-Paul de Goeij, director of the Netherlands Online Gambling Association (NOGA), is calling for a “rigorous” response from Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) after research revealed that illegal operators are allowing minors to gamble. The findings, shared by Keurmerk Responsible Affiliates (KVA) and Licensed Dutch Gaming Providers (VNLOK), highlight a significant issue within the Netherlands’ gambling industry.

Research Findings on Underage Gambling

The research conducted by KVA uncovered that minors in the Netherlands can easily gamble with offshore operators. The study showed that these operators do not require the necessary age verification, allowing anyone with an email address or telephone number to create an account. This lack of oversight enables those below the legal gambling age of 18 to deposit and gamble, often using cryptocurrency for anonymous transactions.

Further, the study found that illegal casinos use the logos of banks and legal operators to mislead minors into believing that their deposits are safe. This practice is particularly concerning as it exploits the trust and security associated with these financial institutions.

Previous Research and Industry Concerns

KVA’s recent findings build on previous research from 2023, which indicated that illegal sites were targeting players attempting to bypass Cruks, the Netherlands’ self-exclusion scheme. This ongoing issue highlights the need for stringent regulatory measures to protect vulnerable groups from the risks associated with illegal gambling.

De Goeij emphasized the heightened risks for underage gamblers, noting their increased susceptibility to addiction and related mental health and financial problems. He urged the KSA to take decisive action to address these issues and fulfill its mandate to protect consumers.

“The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Dutch Gambling Authority, is expected to address these issues rigorously,” De Goeij told iGB. “The KSA is likely to enhance monitoring and enforcement actions against unlicensed operators, imposing hefty fines and blocking access to these websites. Educating the public, especially minors and their parents, about the risks of unlicensed gambling and how to avoid these sites can be an effective preventive measure.”

Recommendations for KSA Action

De Goeij advocates for increased collaboration between the KSA and other jurisdictions, sharing intelligence and best practices to combat illegal operators. He also suggests that the KSA should work closely with financial institutions to block illegal transactions and cut off revenue streams to offshore operators.

“The KSA should employ advanced technologies like geolocation blocking and AI-driven monitoring to detect and shut down access to offshore gambling platforms,” De Goeij added. “Working with internet service providers (ISPs) to block unlicensed gambling sites could significantly reduce access.”

Broader Issues in the Dutch Gambling Market

The timing of KVA’s research coincides with growing industry concerns over regulatory changes in the Netherlands. Recently, a coalition agreement proposed increasing the gambling tax from 30.5% to 37.8%, aiming to generate an additional €202m in tax revenue. NOGA has expressed concerns that such measures could push operators towards the black market, undermining the regulated market’s integrity.

Earlier this year, the house of representatives voted to ban “high-risk” gambling, including online slots, and to prohibit online gambling advertising. These regulatory changes, combined with higher taxes, could drive more players to unlicensed sites, where consumer protections are minimal.

De Goeij is particularly worried about the potential impact on the legal market, warning that higher taxes and advertising restrictions might reduce revenue for the Dutch government and legal operators. This shift could lead to increased fraud, addiction, and other harms associated with unregulated gambling.

NOGA’s Strategic Recommendations

To combat the potential rise of the black market, De Goeij recommends that the KSA and the government adopt evidence-based regulations that do not overly burden legal operators. He believes that encouraging innovation and improving customer experiences in the legal market can help retain and attract players.

“The KSA and the government should encourage innovation and better customer experiences in the legal market to retain and attract players,” De Goeij said. “They should also be continuously researching market trends and player behavior to adapt regulations and strategies dynamically. Only by taking a proactive and balanced approach, the Netherlands can protect its citizens while maintaining a robust and attractive legal gambling market.”

Source: “NOGA urges rigorous KSA response after research finds illegal operators accepting bets from minors”. iGaming Business, May 23, 2024.

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The Netherlands gambling regulator (Kansspelautoriteit/KSA) has reminded operators that untargeted ads are no longer permitted. The warning comes in the wake of a recent violation that forced the KSA to intervene.

According to the authority, a licensed gambling company had aired an untargeted ad during a TV game show. While the Netherlands has yet to fully prohibit TV sponsorships, there are some strict restrictions, that this operator violated.

For reference, the Netherlands banned untargeted advertisements last year and is set to disallow TV sponsorships from July 1, 2024. Then, a year later, the country also plans to ban gambling sponsorship contracts in professional sports.

The gradual crackdown on gambling advertisements and sponsorships takes in mind gambling companies’ existing deals and provides them with ample time to prepare for the changes. However, the KSA continues to detect certain violations from time to time.

The crackdown on advertising seeks to combat the concerning problem gambling rates in the country and protect minors and vulnerable groups from exposure to gambling content.

The KSA Asked the Operator and TV Program to Fix the Issue

Commenting on the current case, the KSA explained that the advertisement in question failed to meet the conditions for TV program sponsorships. According to the authority, such sponsorships mean that an operator’s logo is allowed to appear neutrally during broadcasts.

However, the TV program in question also featured a game element involving a fruit-themed slot. The KSA emphasized that it does not believe this to be a “neutral expression.”

The KSA added that it contacted the operator and the TV program in question, addressing the matter. As a result, the game element was adjusted, the regulator concluded.

The current warning comes a month after the KSA launched a probe into slot machine arcades. In December, the authority warned that supervisors will carry out checks on compliance with the requirements of addiction prevention, ensuring that arcades do not violate the rules.

In the meantime, the KSA prepares for a major leadership change this year as René Jansen, its current board chairman, reached retirement age and decided not to renew his term.

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The Netherlands’ gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), announced a probe into slot machine arcades in the country. Set to be carried out from mid-December, the inspections will check if operators are compliant with the local regulations.

The KSA warned that the inspections will pay particular attention to the implementation of social responsibility measures. In line with the regulations introduced on April 1, 2021, the KSA will inspect whether gambling arcades across the Netherlands have sufficient player safeguards to prevent and minimize gambling addiction as much as possible.

KSA supervisors will carry out checks on, among other things, compliance with the requirements of addiction prevention.

KSA statement

The KSA added that it will publish an update on the situation following the conclusion of the audit period. As reported by the authority, it will update Dutch consumers on the findings of the inspections and will highlight areas that require improvement.

The KSA concluded that it will also adjust its guidance if needed. The update will be also published on the regulator’s official website after the audit period.

KSA Issued a Huge Fine to Betent

The Kansspelautoriteit continues its vigilant watch over the Dutch market. The authority just issued a huge EUR 3 million fine to Betent for AML and CTF violations. As reported by the regulator, Betent, which operates the Betcity brand in the country, was issued a warning in September 2022. The operator was asked to improve its know-your-customer processes and prevent money laundering.

However, the KSA learned that Betent had not implemented the required measures and remained lax in requesting sources of income from its customers. In addition, when it intervened, it did so too late.

René Jansen, the chairman of the Kansspelautoriteit, noted that licenses had been warned to get their AML and CTF procedures under control, lest they face fines. He noted that the Netherlands’ gambling market is past the startup phase, meaning that such violations are no longer excusable.

Jansen is set to depart from the authority, which is currently on the lookout for his successor.

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The Netherlands’ gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has slammed another operator with a hefty fine. The recipient of the fine is Betent, which operates in the country under the Betcity brand.

According to the announcement, Betent will have to pay EUR 3 million (roughly $3.27 million) for its violations of the Dutch regulations on Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF).

Betent Failed to Comply

Known as WWFT, the Netherlands’ AML and CTF law requires gambling licensees to monitor their customer’s activity and report suspicious transactions to the Dutch Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). To that end, operators must employ robust know-your-customer (KYC) measures, check their clients’ risk profiles and make sure that their operations do not facilitate money laundering or the financing of terrorism.

As it turns out, Betent’s AML and CTF measures were lacking. While the KSA warned the operator to properly conduct these investigations back in September 2022, Betent failed to properly fulfill its obligations.

The KSA later investigated Betent’s business again, only to find out that the violations persisted. In many cases, the regulator reported, Betent either did not conduct investigations or started them too late. In addition, the company was lax in requesting sources of income from its customers. The KSA also pointed out that, in many cases, Betent did not report unusual transactions to the FIU.

Because of the seriousness of these violations, the KSA opted to hand Betent a significant fine of EUR 3 million.

Jansen: Licensees Were Warned

René Jansen, the chairman of the Kansspelautoriteit, commented on the matter, pointing out that in May 2022, the authority issued a broad warning to licensed gambling companies. Back then, the regulator asked all licensees to get their WWFT affairs in order and warned that incompliant companies risk fines.

We then indicated that if research shows that providers are underperforming in the field of the WWFT, sanctions will be imposed. We are now following up on this. We are now really out of the start-up phase of the market, and that also means that there are no more excuses for some things.

René Jansen, chairman, KSA

Speaking of Jansen, the KSA chair is set to depart from the authority next year. The regulator is already on the lookout for a suitable replacement.

In the meantime, the KSA just unveiled subsidies for six gambling harm prevention research programs.

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Currently, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Dutch gaming authority, is in charge of the regulation of gambling activities in the country. Monitoring constantly the legal offering for Dutch clients, the gambling regulator also ensures that customers in the country are not targeted by operators without a license. On Monday this week, the KSA confirmed it imposed a $1 million fine against an operator it says offered services to Dutch customers illegally.

The fine imposed by the gambling watchdog is against MKC Limited-owned betworld247.com. The hefty €900,000 ($954,300) monetary penalty comes after the regulator uncovered that the operator offered online games of chance without the required license. Gambling operators that accept customers from the Netherlands must hold a permit in order to offer games of chance. Operators that do not hold such a license operate in breach of the Dutch Gambling Act.

In the case against betworld247.com, the KSA said that its investigation uncovered that Dutch customers were able to register with and participate in online games of chance. According to the gambling regulator, the operator hasn’t taken any technical measures to prevent customers from the Netherlands to register. Such proactive measures can include blocks for Dutch IP addresses or rejection for customers who tried to register with Dutch address details. Moreover, the KSA’s probe into the operator uncovered that the “age of participating players was also not visibly verified.”

“The Gaming Authority (KSA) has imposed a fine of €900,000 on MKC Limited for offering illegal games of chance. Dutch players could participate in online gambling on the website betworld247.com, owned by MKC Limited. MKC Limited does not have a permit for this and is therefore in violation of the Gambling Act,“

explains a statement released by the KSA

Users Submitted Their Age without Proper Identification

Recently, KSA’s chair, René Jansen, confirmed his plans to resign in 2024. Announced earlier this month, the decision comes at a time when his term is set to expire. Jansen explained that he doesn’t plan to reapply for the role, meaning that the Dutch gaming authority is likely already looking through applications for a new chairman. Additionally, the current chairman is reaching retirement age at the end of the year, another reason that likely motivated him not to reapply for the role.

“At MKC Limited, players could enter an age themselves without clear identification. This means that their website is also accessible to very vulnerable, underage players.“

René Jansen, chairman of the KSA

Focusing on the latest penalty against MKC Limited, Jansen said that the website enabled users to submit their age themselves without the necessary identification. According to him, this enabled the website to offer services to vulnerable groups such as underage individuals. Jansen deemed this as a “culpable offense” and once again warned that the illegal gambling market lacks the robust player protection that is otherwise mandatory for the regulated sector.

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The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Netherlands’ gambling regulator, published an update on the market’s newly introduced ban on untargeted advertising. According to the authority, it has had to intervene on three occasions, forcing operators to shut down ads that violated the new advertising rules.

For reference, the ban on untargeted ads came into effect on July 1, aligning with the Netherlands’ efforts to reduce problem gambling. In the near future, the Dutch market is also set to prohibit sponsorships for TV programs and events, as well as sponsorships in professional sports.

It seems that getting used to the ban will take a while, despite the KSA’s warnings. Because of that, the regulator has had to intervene on three occasions and address problematic ads. According to the authority, the licensees in question pulled the ads down upon receiving the heads-up.

Three Companies Violated the Dutch Regulations on Advertising

The KSA reported that one of the three violators had run a promotion allowing participants to win a special t-shirt with the company logo. However, merchandise handouts are considered to constitute untargeted advertising because they would promote the company’s products in public spaces. As a result, the operator in question had to cancel the promotion.

The two other violations included operators that violated the existing rules on sponsorships. The KSA pointed out that TV and radio and sports sponsorships are still permitted but added that there are still rules that companies should follow.

For example, operators can use neutral statements to help consumers recognize their brands and logos. However, they cannot go further and, for example, promote via slogans and incentives. One of the two operators, the regulator said, included its slogan in a program sponsorship, breaching the requirement for neutral expression. The second company, meanwhile, encouraged sports matchgoers to download the gambling company’s application, also violating the same rule.

Other Recent Developments in the Netherlands

In other news, the recently published 2022 KSA Market Scan provided insights into the trends in the Dutch gaming market. The document highlighted the need for updated responsible gambling practices that are in line with the shifting market. The data also showed that a third of the total gambling revenue came from online operations.

Meanwhile, René Jansen, KSA’s chair, confirmed his resignation. While his term is set to expire on October 1, 2024, Jansen will likely vacate the position on July 1, 2024. The authority is already looking for a suitable successor.

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The Netherlands’ gaming authority, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), continues its vigilant watch over the Dutch market. In one of its latest announcements, the regulator revealed that it has imposed a fine of EUR 2,074,000 (around $2,180,000) on the gambling operator LCS Limited.

According to the KSA, LCS offered gambling illegally, targeting local customers through its www.sonsofslots.com brand. Citing this as a violation of the Netherlands’ Gambling Act, the regulator noted that this is not the first time LCS has received a penalty.

In August 2022, the KSA handed a EUR 165,000 fine to the gambling company, asking it to immediately cease its unauthorized operations and leave the Dutch market.

The current fine is in line with the KSA’s current fine policy, which takes over a number of factors, including gambling operators’ local turnover.

Jansen Says Operators Aren’t Safe Just Because They Have Gone Dark

The Kansspelautoriteit’s chairman, René Jansen, commented on the new fine, highlighting the usual efficiency of such measures. However, he noted that some unlicensed operators are not safe when they “go dark,” warning that companies’ past violations can also be punished.

Jensen added that the KSA would regularly check whether unlicensed operators have truly ceased their unregulated activities. The regulator’s job is to diligently make sure that such services aren’t re-introduced.

The Kansspelautoriteit’s announcement reminded gambling companies that only companies with a license from the regulator are allowed to offer gambling in the Netherlands. The authority also reminded companies that they must follow the safer gambling protocols outlined by the KSA and make sure that their players are protected from gambling harm.

KSA Report Outlined the State of Gambling in the Country

In other news, the KSA just published its latest industry report, outlining the state of the gambling industry in the Netherlands. The regulator reported that growth is slowing down as the local market levels off.

At the time, the regulator announced that there are around 676,000 active players in the country, two-thirds of which gamble at least once a month. The total number of players and active accounts has more or less remained stable during the last few months.

In addition, the KSA’s efforts to crack down on unlicensed gambling and channel players toward licensed operators have been paying off as attested by the latest figures. According to the report, the KSA has successfully channeled a stellar 93% of players toward licensed operators, in line with its goal of having 8 in 10 players gamble legally.

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The Kansspelautoriteit has published its latest report, outlining the state of the gambling industry in the Netherlands.

According to the KSA, the total number of active players remained more or less the same during the past six months. GGR continued to increase but demonstrated clear signs of slowing down. The regulator said that the market is leveling off.

For reference, GGR for the period from August 2022 to July 2023 was EUR 1.33 billion (around $1.4 million). To represent the slower growth, the KSA noted that between August 2022 and January 2023, GGR increased 33%. However, from January 2023 to August 2023, the recorded growth was only 8%.

The total number of active accounts was 826,000 as of July 2023, representing a slight decline from January 2023 when there were 859,000 active accounts. The KSA, however, noted that the number of accounts isn’t an active representation of the actual number of players.

The KSA estimates that there are 676,000 active players in the country, 417,000 of whom gamble every month. According to the regulator, players wager around €170 a month, based on a new method of calculation.

The KSA Channeled Players toward the Safer Legal Market

The KSA reported that its efforts to channel players toward the legal market are paying off as 93% of the gamblers play with legal operators. This is in line with KSA’s target goal of having 8 in 10 players pick the licensed alternative.

Younger people continue to be interested in gambling, the KSA noted. According to the regulator, they represent 21% of the total number of accounts, although they spend less money per month at €59.

The KSA added that its CRUKS self-exclusion scheme continues to attract new registrations. The authority added that the total number of excluded players has surpassed 50,000.

Finally, the KSA addressed the recently introduced ban on untargeted advertising for online gambling. Since then, only program sponsorships have been broadcast on TV. However, they are also set to be banned on July 1, 2024.

KSA’s chair, René Jansen, addressed the results, saying that they are in line with the regulator’s expectations. In the meantime, Jansen said that operators should be aware of the continued, albeit slower, growth of the market and adjust their responsible gambling efforts accordingly.

Jansen concluded: “The KSA continues to strictly monitor that Dutch players can gamble in a safe market, with sufficient attention to addiction prevention and insight into possible problematic gaming behavior.”

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The Netherlands’ gambling regulator, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), revealed that it had issued warnings to Betent and Play North Limited over past violations. According to the authority, in 2022, the two companies had breached the anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF)  rules outlined in the Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing (Prevention) Act (Wwft).

The KSA explained that a probe showed that the two gambling operators did not do enough to monitor the behavior of their players and did not provide sufficient information to the regulator. Furthermore, both companies failed to properly verify the source of customers’ money, in breach of the Wwft.

As a result, the KSA identified cases where players lost thousands of Euros in short spans of time. The gambling companies’ lack of intervention violated multiple articles of the Wwft.

At the time, the KSA contacted the two companies, asking them to get their monitoring processes in order. Both companies tried to appeal the Kansspelautoriteit’s ruling but to no avail.

Betent, for example, claimed that the Wwft rules only came into force after the Dutch online gaming market went live, which was factually incorrect.

The regulator explained that its decision has now been made public since it is no longer revocable. However, the KSA noted that certain information falling under the confidentiality obligation of the Wwft will not be disclosed.

KSA Desires to Protect Dutch Consumers from Harm

This is notably the first time the KSA has published instructions relating to the Wwft. The regulator explained that it has now made this information public for a number of reasons. 

First of all, publishing this information to the broader public will familiarize the public with KSA’s enforcement action and the regulator’s reasons for it. In addition, other gambling companies can now learn of what type behavior can trigger enforcement action from the KSA. This awareness can prevent other companies from committing similar violations, the KSA believes.

In other news, the KSA just announced its intention to update its responsible gambling policies. The decision comes in the wake of a recent study that highlighted the shortcomings of the current system and demonstrated that operators need to do more to prevent problem gambling.

Earlier this month, the KSA also initiated a crackdown on cashback bonuses, which are forbidden in the Netherlands. Dutch law believes that such offerings can exacerbate harm.

Earlier still, the regulator warned operators over the use of untargeted gambling advertisements, now forbidden in the country.

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