Upcoming Gambling Regulations in the Dutch Market

Exciting Updates on Gambling Regulations in the Dutch Market

The Dutch Government has officially announced new gambling regulations, which are set to take effect later this year. These changes aim to protect younger generations from the potential harm of excessive gambling while still allowing for safe and regulated online gaming experiences.

One major change is the ban on using sports teams in advertisements, although sponsorship deals are still permitted. This decision was made after considering feedback from a public consultation, which highlighted the influence of athletes on young viewers.

In addition to banning sports teams, non-sporting individuals who are popular among young people have also been added to the list of prohibited advertising faces. The government believes that these measures will help promote responsible gambling practices and protect vulnerable players.

What Can We Expect From These New Regulations?

While operators may face challenges in adapting their advertising strategies, player protection is deemed a top priority by the government. As part of these changes, license processing fees have been capped at €48,000.

The regulations also outline specific sporting events that operators may not offer bets on, such as lower division football matches and under-21 age category games. However, major events like WTA and ATP tennis tournaments and UEFA/FIFA competitions will still be open for wagering.

Changes in Bonuses and Lotteries

The new regulations also address bonuses and lotteries, with players who do not opt-in for bonuses now automatically eligible for them. The previous 60-day restriction on players who have received interventions for problem gambling has also been lifted, with a focus on lighter-touch interventions and more direct actions instead.

Lottery providers are no longer required to conduct addiction prevention drives, as this was deemed unnecessary. Other changes include a ban on timed bonuses and the implementation of risk analysis on individual games in an operator’s library.

Ensuring Responsible Gaming

The new regulations also outline the intervention process for operators when players exhibit problematic behavior. There are also technical standards in place, similar to the self-exclusion system Cruks, to help promote responsible gaming practices.

The Future of Dutch Gambling

As with any industry, gambling is constantly evolving and changing. With these new regulations in place, it is expected that the Dutch gambling market will become safer and more regulated for all involved. Despite some attempts to control the industry in the past, gambling remains prevalent in the Netherlands and these changes aim to make it as safe as possible for everyone involved.

Compared to countries like the USA, which has stricter gambling regulations, the Netherlands has been relatively lenient. However, with these new laws in place, we can hope for positive changes within the industry over time. Stay tuned!