Dutch gambling regulator to update responsible gaming policy
Date: 2023-09-13 Author: Kirill Zagoruyko Categories: EVENTS
With the growing popularity of online gambling, such as casino gambling and sports betting, concerns about problem gambling continue to grow. Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Dutch Gambling Authority, has published details of a new investigation into the prevention and monitoring of problem gambling, highlighting that more needs to be done to prevent harm and addiction.
On Tuesday, the Dutch gambling regulator published details of a new study that included 10 licensed operators offering iGaming services since the country reopened on October 1, 2021. Ultimately, the investigation aimed to determine whether operators were complying with their duty of care and doing everything possible to protect at-risk or problem gamblers, and to identify users suspected of having a gambling addiction.
Based on the research, the KSA stated that "too many of the service providers surveyed were not sufficiently able to intervene quickly or adequately in cases of excessive gaming or possible problem gambling." He added that insufficient real-time monitoring and shortcomings associated with monitoring methodology may be one of the reasons why this is happening.
According to KSA, many iGaming providers have taken a one-track approach, which focuses primarily on deposits, bets or losses rather than changes in gaming behavior, which may include increased play time. This one-sided approach ultimately led to operators “ignoring problem players,” the agency explains.
User protection remains KSA's priority
René Jansen, chairman of the KSA, emphasized the importance of player safety to the regulator. He highlighted alarming reports of operators exceeding their responsibilities and confirmed that KSA would intervene in such cases.
Jansen said the new study shows that not all providers are doing well. “Players need to be confident that they can play safely. We see that the rules need to be tightened precisely in order to further contribute to creating a safe environment for players,” he concluded.
"The KSA puts safe gaming first. We receive red flags and, as a supervisory authority, investigate providers who may be significantly exceeding the limits of their duty of care. If we see this, we will intervene." Rene Jansen, Chairman of the Gambling Authority
In light of the investigation's findings and findings, the KSA has confirmed that it will strengthen its own policies related to player protection and make recommendations for amendments to existing rules. Changes to the Authority's responsible gaming policy will include requirements for real-time monitoring, as well as the introduction of additional indicators for assessing problem gambling. The policy includes mandatory suspension of the accounts of individuals identified as problematic players until action is taken.
On Tuesday, the Dutch gambling regulator published details of a new study that included 10 licensed operators offering iGaming services since the country reopened on October 1, 2021. Ultimately, the investigation aimed to determine whether operators were complying with their duty of care and doing everything possible to protect at-risk or problem gamblers, and to identify users suspected of having a gambling addiction.
Based on the research, the KSA stated that "too many of the service providers surveyed were not sufficiently able to intervene quickly or adequately in cases of excessive gaming or possible problem gambling." He added that insufficient real-time monitoring and shortcomings associated with monitoring methodology may be one of the reasons why this is happening.
According to KSA, many iGaming providers have taken a one-track approach, which focuses primarily on deposits, bets or losses rather than changes in gaming behavior, which may include increased play time. This one-sided approach ultimately led to operators “ignoring problem players,” the agency explains.
User protection remains KSA's priority
René Jansen, chairman of the KSA, emphasized the importance of player safety to the regulator. He highlighted alarming reports of operators exceeding their responsibilities and confirmed that KSA would intervene in such cases.
Jansen said the new study shows that not all providers are doing well. “Players need to be confident that they can play safely. We see that the rules need to be tightened precisely in order to further contribute to creating a safe environment for players,” he concluded.
"The KSA puts safe gaming first. We receive red flags and, as a supervisory authority, investigate providers who may be significantly exceeding the limits of their duty of care. If we see this, we will intervene." Rene Jansen, Chairman of the Gambling Authority
In light of the investigation's findings and findings, the KSA has confirmed that it will strengthen its own policies related to player protection and make recommendations for amendments to existing rules. Changes to the Authority's responsible gaming policy will include requirements for real-time monitoring, as well as the introduction of additional indicators for assessing problem gambling. The policy includes mandatory suspension of the accounts of individuals identified as problematic players until action is taken.
