Netherlands tests consumer protection measures

The gambling regulator launched a consultations to improve consumer protections.

Netherlands.- Kansspelautoriteit -KSA-, the gambling regulator from the Netherlands, is continuing its mission to improve consumer protection and gambling addiction prevention, this time by launching a consultation for market parties and other stakeholders.

KSA is asking industry executives and other relevant parties to respond to the Duty of Care Guideline, in which the KSA outlines measures from providers that are minimally necessary to prevent gambling addiction and to adequately protect the consumer.

The Betting and Gaming Act from the Netherlands states that providers have a duty to prevent gambling addiction. The law, which states that games of chance may only be offered if a licence has been granted for them, does not make clear how this obligation must be implemented in practice.

The regulator said that with the Duty of Care Guideline, it intends for gaming providers to offer more clarity about the interpretation of the duty of care. The Duty of Care Guideline deals with various aspects of addiction prevention and consumer protection, focusing on the different types of gambling.

Respondents will have time to answer to the draft version of the Duty of Care Guideline until April 22, 2019, and after that what was submitted will be assessed and processed in a final version later this year.