Dutch Gambling Regulator to Update Responsible Gaming Policies

In response to a recent study by the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Netherlands Gambling Authority, revealing shortcomings in preventing problem gambling, the authority has decided to revamp its responsible gaming policies. With the surge in popularity of online gambling, including casino gaming and sports betting, concerns regarding addictive behavior have been on the rise.

The KSA recently disclosed details of an investigation involving ten licensed operators who have been offering iGaming services since the Dutch market opened its doors on October 1, 2021. The primary objective of this probe was to assess whether these operators were fulfilling their duty of care by protecting vulnerable players and identifying those potentially suffering from gambling addiction.

The findings were less than encouraging, as the KSA stated that "too many of the providers examined are insufficiently able to intervene quickly or adequately in the event of excessive gaming or a possible gambling addiction." Insufficient real-time monitoring and methodological deficiencies appeared to be contributing factors to this issue.

The KSA also pointed out that many iGaming providers primarily focused on financial aspects such as deposits, bets, and losses, rather than monitoring changes in gaming behavior, such as prolonged playtime. This narrow approach often resulted in operators "overlooking problem players," according to the Authority.