IBIA responds to Dutch remote games regulation
The betting association IBIA has commented on the draft regulation from the Netherlands that implements a remote games regulation.
Netherlands.- The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) has commented on the draft regulation from the Netherlands that implements the Remote Games of Chance Act. The association said that while it welcomes the decision to license and regulate online betting, it has concerns regarding the effectiveness of the proposed regime in the Netherlands.
IBIA specifically commented on the Remote Games of Chance Act’s provisions in relation to the availability of betting products and actions to detect, deter and punish the manipulation of sports events.
The association said that the concerns include the underlining reasoning and impact of the proposals to restrict consumers from engaging in, and licensed operators from offering, certain sports betting products.
The draft regulations comprise a number of provisions which will serve to restrict the availability of betting products to Dutch consumers. This includes a range of bets deemed “inherently unsuitable for betting because, given the nature of the bets, they pose a risk to the integrity of the sport. This concerns negative events and events that are easy to manipulate.”
IBIA said that is also unclear what benefits can be attained from requiring the licence holder “to inform the relevant sports associations of its offer of betting on the matches of that association given that such bets can and will continue to take place with betting operators around the world on which there is no such imposition. “There is a lack of clarity throughout this aspect of the regulations, with the potential for differing interpretations and a need for further detailed guidance and reflection,” said the association.
Betting corruption
IBIA said that imposing product restrictions on Dutch licensed operators does not make it any less likely that the sporting events in that licensing jurisdiction will be any safer from betting corruption. It also explains that the available data doesn’t justify the regulatory position taken by the Dutch authorities.
“The proposed approach of prohibiting betting markets will prove counterproductive to achieving that aim. Indeed, whilst the reforms to the Dutch market are broadly welcome, the restrictions on the availability of betting products through licensed operators, aligned with a comparatively high tax rate, are likely to maintain a sizeable offshore market.”
“The association therefore hopes that the Dutch authorities will reconsider the position taken in the draft regulation regarding the proposed restrictions on betting and will take an evidence-based approach to its policy. In particular, that The Netherlands considers adopting a policy approach that regulates and allows its licensed operators to offer consumers access to all types of bets. That will serve as the best means to protecting the market’s viability and integrity.”
