The Netherlands’ gambling watchdog, Kansspelautoriteit, is ringing the bell for change, casting a spotlight on the urgent need for a refresh in the country’s online betting laws. In a communique to the Minister for Legal Protection, Fran Weerwind, the KSA outlined a raft of suggestions that could revolutionise the Dutch online gambling landscape.
A Pioneering Approach to Compliance
One of the most vital topics raised by the KSA is the necessity for a modification of current regulations that would empower the regulator to create pseudonyms to ensure operators’ compliance with rules.
Today, only the National Office for Identity Data has the authority to forge fake IDs, but KSA advocates that it should also have the capacity to do so for more efficient and effective supervision of operators.
Moreover, the KSA has called for greater flexibility with the use of data received from licensees. Although licensed operators are currently required to submit a portion of their gaming systems data to the Control Database for supervision and enforcement purposes, the KSA believes that utilising this data for research and analysis would provide a robust basis for policy making, enforcement and supervision.
The Road Ahead: Crucial Points of Consideration
Additionally, the KSA identified two other areas of potential improvement. The first focuses on the Cruks self-exclusion system. According to the KSA, the number of players involuntarily added to this list by close relatives or operators is significantly low, casting doubts on its effectiveness in combating gambling addiction. KSA suggests that the procedure for involuntary registration is overly complex and the six-month period for deregistration is too brief.
Furthermore, the KSA highlighted that laws governing land-based slot machines are growing increasingly incompatible with contemporary regulations and technological advancements. The regulator recommends updating these laws to align with those of online slots.
In the KSA’s own words, tackling these issues will bring the regulator “even closer to a safe and responsible gaming system” for Dutch players, while curbing misuse.
Implications for the iGaming Industry
It’s clear that the KSA’s recommendations could have profound effects on the Dutch and global iGaming industry. To encapsulate:
- The proposal for the KSA to use fake identities would usher in a new era of regulatory oversight, with potential worldwide influence.
- Encouraging broader use of data from gaming systems could lead to more informed policymaking, which may ripple out to other jurisdictions.
- A revised self-exclusion system, if successful, could present a model for other countries grappling with responsible gambling issues.
