Dutch gambling regulator calls time on “share your bet” feature
The KSA says that the invitation to share bets could breach Dutch gambling advertising rules.
The Netherlands.- The Dutch gambling regulator kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has asked online gambling providers to discontinue the use of the “share your bet” feature. The regulator says it investigated the functionality after receiving several alerts and questions from the market.
“Share your bet” buttons allow players to quickly and easily share a bet they place on an online gambling app or site as a link sent via social media platforms or messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, or by email. The recipient of the message can then immediately see the bet and, if they have an account, participate as well.
The KSA views the feature is a form of advertising and recruitment since it’s a way for providers to promote gambling indirectly through players themselves. It believes this may conflict with the Netherlands’ rules on gambling ads since, according to the Decree on Recruitment, Advertising, and Addiction Prevention in Gambling, providers must ensure that advertising does not reach vulnerable groups, such as minors, young adults, and people with gambling problems.
Because players themselves decide who to send their bet to, providers have no control over who receives the shared messages. This means that gambling providers cannot guarantee that vulnerable groups will not unintentionally encounter gambling advertising, The KSA says.
It also raised concerns that the ease of sharing bets helps normalise gambling and lowers the barrier to entry, especially among younger demographics.
The regulator said: “The KSA is calling on all online gambling providers using the “Share your bet” feature to immediately stop doing so. The KSA will continue to monitor any new developments in this area and will take enforcement action where necessary to ensure the protection of vulnerable groups.”
The update comes after the Netherlands’ new coalition government announced a proposal for a blanket ban on gambling advertising in the Netherlands. Meanwhile, the KSA has outlined positive and negative examples of compliance with the Dutch ban on gambling sponsorship in sports.
