Dutch Government Set to Introduce Stricter Gambling Regulations

Teun Struycken, a minister in the Dutch government, has announced the government is considering the introduction of more stringent legislation following its review of the current Remote Gambling Act.

Picture of Dutch Government Minister Teun Struycken who is overseeing gambling changes (Source: government.nl).
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The review in gambling behavior raised certain concerns over the rise of problem gambling online, and Struycken issued a statement that the law should now incorporate measures that protect individuals, with a focus on young adults and the vulnerable in society.

Currently gamblers in the Netherlands have a monthly limit on their online gaming of slots which is administered by gambling operators. The government believe some players are circumnavigating these limits and will introduce a central registry to track players monthly spending limits across all regulated gaming operators in the region.

There has also been a rise in unlicensed and illegal online gambling activity, and the Dutch government will introduce stricter measures to combat the rise of the illegal gambling market. Ksa, the Dutch Gambling Authority, will be given more powers to issue fines against unlicensed operators and to block sites that are operating illegally in the region.

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Changes Focus on Young Adults

The regulator has decided that to protect young adults in the region from the riskier forms of online gambling such as online slots the age restriction will be raised to a minimum of 21 before adults can play these games.

Additionally, there will be further restrictions on gambling advertising in the country, which again focuses on protecting young adults and children in the Netherlands. All gambling ads in the future will have to adhere to the premise they do not cause harm or lead to addiction.

Struycken says the government aims to implement the proposed changes into legislation that it will introduce to the Dutch parliament by the end of this year.

For me, the most important starting point is protecting all citizens from gambling-related harm. In doing so, I go beyond preventing addiction and also look at other harm that participation in gambling can cause, such as debts. It is necessary to protect all people, especially those who have not yet come into contact with gambling or who have stopped gambling. In doing so, I focus in particular on minors and young adults.

Teun StruyckenState Secretary for Legal Protection

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