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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Bally’s is trying to increase the gambling credit limit at its two properties in Rhode Island from $50,000 to $100,000 in order to stay competitive and attract high-stakes players. Not surprisingly, this move has sparked concerns despite the fact that Bally’s has secured the support of Senate President Dominick Ruggerio.

Bally’s Representative Tackles Concerns Over Rhode Island Casino Credit Proposal

Bally’s representative, Elizabeth Suever, addressed concerns during a Senate Committee on Special Legislation meeting. Suever noted that the proposal’s goal is to cater only to gamblers capable of repayment, reported The Providence Journal. 

Notably, casinos in Connecticut and Massachusetts are operating without such credit limits so the proposal is trying to level casino offerings in Rhode Island with the neighboring competition. The state of Rhode Island is quite dependent on gambling tax revenue, which amounts to $428.8 million annually.

However, opponents have expressed their confusion about the proposal being introduced at the end of the legislative session and the urgency surrounding it.  A spokesperson for Ruggerio confirmed that the legislation was crafted upon Bally’s request to counter competition from Massachusetts casinos.

Nonetheless, there is one stipulation in the proposal that has raised lawmakers’ eyebrows. The bill is going to affect the state’s Department of Business Regulation‘s authority to change Bally’s operating agreement without legislative approval. 

Rhode Island Proposal Aims to Attract High-Rollers

The proposal proponents argue that the bill will affect only a small group of high-rollers. It is going to reduce the need for large cash transactions for such players and, thus, make Bally’s casinos more attractive to them. 

Answering concerns about financial oversight and potentially higher gambling debt, the bill’s supporters note that players are going to be subject to rigorous scrutiny such as credit checks, identification verification, and tracking of their gaming history across local casinos. 

However, there is no detailed information available regarding the current number of players with $50,000 credit limits.

Additionally, the proposed legislation is going to change various aspects of Rhode Island’s lottery and casino operations. For example, Bally’s debt ratio shall have to be revised and the method for calculating promotional points shall also be changed.

This, in turn, will impact the state’s revenue share. The main challenge ahead of legislators will be to strike a balance between responsible gaming and keeping the competitive edge of Rhode Island casinos against neighboring states. The fate of the proposal will have implications for economic revenue and consumer behavior in the gambling sector.

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The UK government has announced big online gambling legislation changes coming up in September. 

The authorities have set a maximum stake limit of £2 ($2.53) for online slots that they will introduce for the first time in history at the end of 10 long weeks of consultations during which most respondents were in favor of the proposal part of the gambling white paper.  

The consultations hosted a series of industry views from providers of gambling harem treatments, academics, and individuals.

The £2 threshold will apply to players ages 18 to 24. A different £5 ($6.33) limit for adults who are at least 25 years old will also be applied. 

Countering the Risk of Life-Changing Losses

The changes come in the well-known context of the increasing popularity recorded by online casinos with special emphasis on easily accessible online slot games. 

The latter represent one of the most addictive forms of gambling and they are often associated with long gameplay sessions, binge gambling, and losing large amounts of money with serious negative impacts on players’ lives. 

The fact that they do not have any statutory stake limits, which is the case for slot machines in brick-and-mortar casinos, has convinced the government in the UK to take action. 

The lower stake limit for young adults between 18-24 has been chosen as a result of this age group having the highest average problem gambling score of all the assessed groups. 

Moreover, the group also has lower levels of disposable income, deals with neurological development that can impact the way they perceive risks, and they also need to learn how to manage money for the first time. 

Additional evidence has also shown a more powerful stronger link between harm related to gambling and suicide among the younger population.

Backup from GambleAware

Gambling Minister Stuart Andrew spoke about the evidence that “shows that there is a significantly higher problem gambling rate for online slot games.”

In connection to the vulnerability expressed by young adults concerning gambling-related harms, added Andrew, the government has decided to address both of these matters in the new white paper.

GambleAware‘s chief executive officer, Zoë Osmond, welcomed the announcement and described the decision as “an important mechanism to protect young people.”

Osmond added that while they will keep working toward fighting this “growing public health issue,” they will also work together with the government and others in the gambling harms sector to introduce better preventative measures. 

Earlier in the week, the UK Gambling Commission announced the launch of a pilot scheme for enhanced affordability checks.

In the context of GambleAware’s survey which showed strong public support for affordability checks, the pilot is expected to be successful. 

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The Netherlands’ Minister for Legal Protection, Franc Weerwind, has been urged to back a universal loss limit to the country’s Remote Gambling Act (KOA). Backed by the ChristianUnie (CU) Party, the measure seeks to make up for the deficiencies of the current safer gambling rules.

The proposal would introduce a universal loss limit across the 27 online gambling licensees in the Netherlands. This measure, according to the CU, is needed because the current rules have failed to prevent excessive online gambling.

The universal loss limit will apply across all operators in the country, preventing players from going to play with another operator once they hit the limit.

Mirjam Bikker, leader of the CU, emphasized that the measure has already secured majority support from many parties in the country, including the Christian Democratic Appeal, Conservative Reform Party, Dutch Socialist Party and Green Alliance.

The proposal was submitted to Weerwind who is currently responsible for the ongoing reform of the KOA.

Weerwind Says Such a Measure Would Be Difficult to Implement

Weerwind recently addressed the matter, confirming that he has received the CU’s request. However, the Minister for Legal Protection said that he doesn’t plan to advance the proposal to ministers.

According to Weerwind, a universal limit will be both time-consuming and too complicated to properly implement. Weerwind added that he believes lawmakers should instead concentrate on already existing proposals as the vote looms.

For reference, the minister previously proposed compulsory financial risk checks on player accounts that spend more than €350 a month. Approved by the Ministry of Justice, his proposals also include a €150 non-universal loss limit for customers under the age of 24.

However, the CU pointed out that, since there are 27 legal operators in the Netherlands, young people can still go to another operator once they hit the monthly €150 limit. As a result, they can still spend all their money on gambling.

Representatives of the CU and CDA critiqued Weerwind’s reluctance to tackle gambling addiction head-on and introduce the necessary measures to protect Dutch consumers. The latter party previously argued that the KOA has failed to protect local players from harm and must therefore be abolished.

In the meantime, the Netherlands continues its efforts to protect the safety of local gamblers. To that end, the country recently banned untargeted gambling advertisements, hoping to mitigate some of the damage.

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Florida’s mobile sports wagering market can become one of the largest in the United States. However, JMP Securities analyst Jordan Bender predicts limited competition could present unique challenges, damaging the sector’s profitability. Hard Rock International, the gaming arm of the Seminole Tribe, will have exclusive control over the state’s mobile sports wagering offerings, presenting substantial revenue implications.

Ongoing Legal Disputes Still Disrupt the Fledgling Sector

The Seminole Tribe holds exclusive rights to sports wagering in Florida, as stipulated in the Class III Tribal-State Gaming Compact signed into law in 2021. This agreement, endorsed by Governor Ron DeSantis, designates the tribe as the sole operator of sports betting in the state. In return, the Seminole Tribe must contribute $500 million annually to the state’s revenue.

Despite legalizing and launching sports betting for a brief period, the activity remains on hold in Florida due to the ongoing legal battle between the state’s casinos and the Seminole Tribe. Casinos alleged that the gambling compact granting Hard Rock total exclusivity violated federal law on several points, resulting in the current drawn-out proceedings.

However, even a resolution in favor of Hard Rock might not resolve the state’s sports wagering woes, as Jordan Bender predicts yearly revenues can reach $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion, significantly below the potential $2 billion in revenue if the market were open to competition beyond the Seminole Tribe.

Healthy Competition Can Foster Higher Revenues

The potential exclusivity of Hard Rock International in Florida’s mobile sports betting market could limit the sector’s profitability. Such a scenario has occurred in other states, including Connecticut, Oregon, and Rhode Island, where a lack of competition has affected revenue growth. States like New Hampshire, where a single operator enjoys a monopoly, have faced similar challenges.

States that have gone the route of one to three licenses… have underperformed… with a core reason being less incentive to invest in players and the product with no competition.

Jordan Bender, JMP Securities analyst

Bender highlights that competition often benefits states seeking to maximize sports betting revenue. For example, New York should see sports wagering revenue of $2 billion at maturity despite having a population and per capita income statistics similar to Florida. Arizona and Colorado have thriving sports wagering markets because they allow multiple competitors to participate alongside tribal casinos.

While Hard Rock International operates the Hard Rock Bet sports betting app in several states outside Florida, technology constraints have limited its ability to secure a market share and compete with industry leaders. An undisputed monopoly in its home state could mitigate these limitations despite its potential long-term negative impact.

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Casinos have faced a prolonged battle to keep “younger” customers coming back for their services, and it can become an even bigger problem if some of the new laws that are being proposed come into play. 

According to many industry experts, new regulations in the U.K. gambling laws can require platforms hosting slot games to limit their maximum bet spin to only £2 for players under 25.

The Regulations Being Proposed

A white paper was published in April 2023, highlighting the changes the British government plans to make in the gambling regulations for online casinos. This white paper had been in the making for quite some time, and after several delays and postponements, it was finally published on the 27th of April, 2023. 

Ministers’ primary agenda in introducing these new regulations was to make gambling a safer space for the masses, as there had been several high-profile cases where people suffered enormous losses because of their gambling habits. Two main approaches are being taken to achieve this.

Limits for Under-25s

The most significant talking point from this incident was the stake limit for online slots. People under 25 can only put forward £2, and for people over 25, the limit is £15. This has been a topic for heated debate for quite some time as many casino owners are in favour of this idea and already implement it in some capacity. 

Still, some people do not support this motion as they believe people should not be restricted to such a degree.

Integration of AI and Data for a Better Experience

Another topic the government has stressed is how casino owners should do their best to incorporate AI and more modern technologies in their setup. Casino owners all across the U.K. have been very welcoming towards this suggestion. 

This helps to implement a more dynamic approach, rather than just setting the stakes high for some customers and too low for others. To avoid unmitigated consequences, this proposal can go a long way in changing the fabric of the gambling industry in the U.K.

Some other proposals

More proposals included in the white paper are a mandatory background check on industry revenues, strong measures to slow down online gambling, and affordability checks, and the government also plans to run some campaigns to promote safer gambling.

The Positive Feedback

Many casino owners have looked at these proposals in a very holistic way. The fact that these tightened regulations can help reduce unhealthy gambling behaviour is a big step, making gambling much more inclusive for people. It also helps that the regulations minimise online gambling and encourage people to visit casinos more often. 

The dynamic, data-driven approach can benefit both casinos and players alike.

“We welcome the measures outlined in the White Paper and support its ambition to update legislation to develop a dynamic regulatory system for gambling fit for the digital age,” said Neil Banbury of the popular Kindred Group in an interview with Sky News.

“To be a long-term sustainable business, it is not in our interest to have any of our customers experiencing problems which is why at Kindred, we have our Journey Towards Zero ambition to eventually generate 0% of our revenue from people who exhibit problem behaviours”

The Backlash 

These regulations have also created a fair amount of controversy. The general public is not completely convinced about an affordability check. People are worried that they will have to compromise their privacy because of these affordability checks, citing the restriction on their spending as a major issue. 

Casino owners are worried that players will not provide appropriate proof of their spending power in a ploy to con the system and gamble way over their ceiling. The customers who wish to do that will then start looking for other ways of gambling, leading them to an even more unsafe and uncontrollable market.

Conclusion

Despite the abovementioned concerns, this set of revised gambling regulations is a huge step in a positive direction. An affordability check will massively help casinos keep a clean customer base and keep people away from gambling issues as possible. 

Gambling companies will also benefit from integrating AI and data-led approaches to keep up with the changing times. These regulations will help young people avoid gambling addictions and save countless communities from experiencing harm. 

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According to the latest information publicized by the government, the number of poker machine entitlements in the state will fall by at least 3,000. This will see thousands of gambling machines gone along with a new cash-in limit on new machines introduced.

Restricting the Maximum Betting Limit for Pokies

The cash limit sits at around $340 (AU$500) right now, and it’s part of a broader effort to ensure that consumers do not suffer from gambling harm. The measure is also designed to tackle money laundering, which has been reported as a serious problem in New South Wales, with pubs and gaming clubs turned abused by criminals.

The NSW has also had to deal with an interruption of its cashless gaming trial after it transpired that a cyberattack had been able to compromise the personal data of about 40 customers.

These changes are significant and they will be kicking in from July 1, with the betting limit on slot machines reduced from the previously $3,340 (AU$5,000). The NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA) has outlined these changes as part of its official gambling framework and regulation, backed by the government.

NSW minister for gaming and racing David Harris welcomed the change and said that the government had promised consumers a safer gaming sector, and this was exactly what was happening as of right now. He said:

One of these commitments was to reduce the number of poker machines in this state – and this is an important step forward.

NSW minister for gaming and racing David Harris

Harris reminded that despite the sweeping reforms, the government was not in fact trying to undermine gambling businesses. That is why, the minister confirmed that the government would continue to actively engage with the industry and ensure that any sweeping reforms are at least run by stakeholders to advise on the best course of action.

The news was not too well-received on both ends – on the one hand, there are gambling hawks, and on the other – gambling doves.

Consumers First, But the Industry Needs to Be Consulted

Criticism of the new plan quickly followed. One particular issue the anti-gambling camp has taken with the government is the delay of a promised cashless gaming trial which will most likely have to be deferred by an unspecified time.

This, opponents have said, is proof that the “gambling lobby” has a powerful clout in politics and that it remains to call the daily order.

Harris has refused any such insinuations, arguing that the government was moving coherently forward and ensuring that any changes enacted would be to the benefit of consumers. The NSW and its regulator recently swept on venues and took issue with venues offering ATMs that dispensed money on credit.

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Last month, the government-owned gambling operator located in Norway announced that it had raised close to $24 million for good causes from January to April thanks to its Grassroots Share (Grasrotandelen) program. The latter directs 7% of all bets made by gamblers toward charity organizations picked by players themselves. In September 2022, the operator announced it will no longer advertise its sports betting services on television. 

Now, Norsk Tipping has announced a new policy upgrade that proves its commitment to responsible gaming and safe gambling policies. The operator has upgraded its loss limits aimed at players aged 20 and under to a maximum of NOK 2,000 ($181).

Players Under 20s, Deemed “More Vulnerable” Than Older Players  

Mentioning statistics originating from the University of Bergen and the Helpline for gambling addicts, the company’s director of responsibility and communication, Tonje Sagstuen, spoke about the higher incidence of gambling issues among younger customers compared to other age groups. 

By association, the same players are also prone to make bad choices when gambling. The company also explained that, at the moment, it counted approximately 30,000 active players who are under the age of 20. Of them, roughly 2,000 lost over NOK 2,000 ($181) during a month on at least one occasion over the course of the past 12 months.

Up until now, Norsk Tipping had a loss limit of NOK 20,000 ($1,819) per month for players of all ages. Now, according to the fresh decision, starting June 1 onwards, the smaller limit loss for players under 20 will come into effect.

While the operator which is backed by the Norwegian state preserves its 18 and above age limit for players, the fact that younger customers are subject to higher risks of harm related to gambling has convinced Norsk Tipping to make the important changes.

Following Suit

The operator’s choice for stricter gambling loss limits comes as a result of similar measures embraced by other large betting brands in Europe as a way of improving their player protection frameworks.

One example is the new €1,000 ($1,076) monthly deposit limit regulation introduced by Germany in 2021. Belgium opted for an even more restrictive limit of €200 ($215) per month for deposits in 2022. 

The imminent United Kingdom’s Gambling Act review White Paper also mentioned a monthly loss limit proposal of £125 ($156) along with a yearly £500 ($626) limit within a year prior to players being subject to specific affordability checks.

Also, according to the same proposal, the higher the spending levels, the larger the number of checkups are going to be, with suggested thresholds of £1,000 ($1,252) within a 24-hour timeframe and double the amount within three months’ time. 

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Despite the expected significant obstacles, the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ) believes cross-operator deposit limits are vital for a safer market. The regulator’s decision to press on comes in response to growing concerns about the potential harms of excessive gambling. With potential market imbalances threatening players, the DGOJ continues its mission to promote responsible gambling practices.

Rising Challenges Necessitate a More Comprehensive Approach

One of the key objectives of the DGOJ’s recent decision to press on with a cross-operator deposit limit system is to promote responsible gambling practices among online operators. By imposing deposit limits relevant across different platforms, players will be encouraged to spend responsibly and effectively manage their gambling activities. 

Such a measure will introduce a valuable tool for self-control, enabling players to maintain a healthy balance between enjoyment and responsible gambling. DGOJ director general Mikel Arana noted that more than half of multi-operator players who had exceeded the current limits were among the biggest losers.

There is an undeniable relationship between surpassing the limit, doing so in more than one operator… and showing symptoms of a potential gambling problem.

Mikel Arana, DGOJ director general

The regulator’s data suggests a significant disbalance in the Spanish market. Statistics indicate that 1% of active online players contributed more than 40% of GGR. Furthermore, operator revenues between 2017 and 2022 skyrocketed by 75% despite a modest 200,000 increase in active players. A few individuals accounting for most gambling losses raise significant concerns, necessitating the DGOJ’s continued efforts.

The Planned System Faces Significant Challenges

Implementing cross-operator limits will complement the Spanish regulator’s forthcoming reforms. The new Royal Decree on Responsible Gambling Environments marks another milestone development for the country’s gaming market, introducing over 30 changes to existing regulations. These new rules seek to protect Spain’s youth and introduce a personalized approach for at-risk gamblers and new monitoring requirements.

Thanks to effective enforcement, gambling companies in the country will do their best to abide by the new rules. However, introducing a unified system spanning all operators will be no easy feat, posing budgetary, regulatory, and technical challenges. While not an all-encompassing solution, cross-operator limits will complement existing measures and serve as a lynchpin for player protection.

We see the cross-operator deposit limit system as an additional tool. It is intended… to complement (existing) operator limits and, of course, be voluntary for the player.

Mikel Arana, DGOJ director general

Collaboration between regulatory bodies and online operators, technological advancements, and public support will be crucial in successfully implementing the planned measures. As Spain maintains its focus on player protection, introducing cross-operator deposit limits will set a positive precedent for responsible gambling regulation worldwide.

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