Netherlands Launches Digital Resilience Campaign to Combat Online Gambling Fraud

Franc Weerwind has introduced this ambitious campaign in response to mounting fears of match-fixing through social media. In particular, the program is designed to educate and protect young people, helping them recognize scams and resist offers that seem too good to be true. This proactive approach comes as a response to an alarming report from the AD news site, which exposed social media influencers assisting in promoting counterfeit sports results through the messaging platform Telegram.

Weerwind clarified that there is no evidence linking the targeted young individuals to match-fixing activities, nor is there any confirmation that sporting events have been tampered with. Nevertheless, he expressed deep concerns about fraudsters exploiting vulnerable individuals, especially the young and impressionable.

The minister emphasized the undesirability of influencers endorsing risky games of chance. He highlighted that gambling companies are strictly prohibited from using role models that might appeal to young people for advertising purposes. Weerwind asserted that fraud and incitement to commit criminal acts are not only harmful but also punishable. In this context, the perpetrators purchase manipulated results from scammers on Telegram, often using cryptocurrencies for payment.

Weerwind stressed the importance of raising awareness and promoting recognition of online scams among citizens to prevent victimization. The Netherlands is committed to safeguarding its residents from fraudulent practices and deceptive online schemes.

Regarding the social implications of online gambling, Weerwind took a cautious stance. He refrained from making judgments before the review of the impact of the Remote Gaming Act in 2024. Weerwind has, however, already made adjustments within the existing legal framework. He banned the use of role models for online gambling advertisements as of June 30, 2022, and untargeted advertising for online gambling as of July 1, 2023. Central to his policy efforts is addiction prevention, with the government planning to submit new rules for improved addiction prevention in early 2024.

In addition to the comprehensive digital resilience campaign, the Dutch gambling regulator, KSA, will soon launch an initiative to increase brand awareness for the self-exclusion service Cruks among different target groups. Furthermore, a program aimed at identifying and guiding individuals with risky or problematic gambling behavior, particularly young adults, will be introduced in schools from 2024, developed in collaboration with the Trimbos Institute, a specialist in addressing addiction issues. The Netherlands is determined to create a safer environment for online gambling while minimizing the risk of fraud and its social repercussions.