Dutch gambling regulator warns newspapers over promotion of unlicensed online gaming
The KSA ordered 42 newspaper and magazine editors to remove mentions and links to gambling sites not licensed in the Netherlands.
The Netherlands.- The Dutch gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has written to Dutch newspaper and magazine editors to request vigilance over the promotion of unlicensed gambling. In a six-month investigation, it found that many physical and online publications mentioned gambling websites that do not have Dutch gambling licences.
The mentions were not necessarily in the form of traditional paid adverts. The KSA found other forms of content provided by gambling companies or that included links or logos of illegal providers. Many media companies fall for emails from online casino operators providing ‘stories’ on things like optical illusions or other topics unrelated to their offerings in order to get their names mentioned.
The regulator told 42 editorial offices to remove direct links to unlicensed providers and or affiliate sites promoting unlicensed sites. It has also written to all media outlets to offer advice to prevent future violations of advertising rules.
The KSA noted that the unlicensed sites mentioned by newspapers and magazines were not registered with Cruks, the Dutch gambling self-exclusion scheme in the Netherlands. It said: “Registration with Cruks allows players to take a break if they feel that they no longer have their gambling behaviour under control. However, this research proves players are sometimes tempted to gamble illegally and even to play without Cruks without realising it.
“Active promotion aimed at this vulnerable target group is therefore very harmful. Illegal providers do not have a licence and do not protect players against problematic gambling or gambling addiction.”
Feedback on proposed Dutch gambling reforms
Meanwhile, gambling operators yesterday (20 March) provided feedback in a round-table discussion on the government’s proposed reforms of Dutch gambling legislation, which include new advertising restrictions and a possible increase in the minimum age for online slots. Helma Lodders, chair of VNLOK, presented the views of industry bodies at a meeting that was also attended by the KSA.
A top priority for the trade bodies VNLOK and NOGA was to give arguments against the possibility of a ban on all gambling advertising. The Netherlands banned untargeted gambling ads in July 2023, but Teun Struycken, the minister for legal protection in the Netherlands, has suggested that stricter rules will be introduced to limit the appeal of online gambling specifically.
Industry groups also want operators to be able to access data from Cruks for the purposes of preventing advertising to people on the register. They also believe the system could be improved with a requirement to provide aftercare.
