KSA reveals new Dutch safer gambling tagline

All licensed operators in the Netherlands must adopt the KSA’s new safer gambling tagline.

The Netherlands.- The Dutch gambling regulator, De Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has announced the Netherlands new safer gambling tagline.

The initiative comes two months after the launch of the country’s regulated online gambling market and the CRUKS self-exclusion platform. 

All licensed gambling operators in the Netherlands (there are currently 11 licensees) must now adopt the tagline “Wat kost gokken jou? Stop op tijd. 18+”, which translates along the lines of “What does gambling cost you? Stop on time. +18”.

The tagline must be visible on all websites, advertising and marketing campaigns from April 1. The phrase replaces the current tagline of “Play consciously. +18”.

It has been approved by the Dutch Minister for Legal Protection Sander Dekker, who told the House of Representatives in November that a new warning message would be adopted as a safer gambling measure.

The message was selected in collaboration with the Trimbos Institute, a Dutch public health body for mental health, addiction and well-being.

The Netherlands Online Gaming Association (NOGA), VAN Kansspelen and VNLOK, the three main Dutch gaming industry associations, have given their support to an alternative safer gambling slogan, “Avoid Regrets, Stop in Time 18+”.

The KSA said: “Our new warning message follows from the Remote Gambling Act (KOA) and is mainly aimed at preventing gambling problems such as gambling addiction.”

To date, only 11 operators have gained licences to operate legal igaming in the Netherlands, but KSA chairman René Jansen has said he expects more licences to be issued by April.

Several major operators have been blocking Dutch players while they go through the licensing process. 

Last week, the KSA issued its first sanction against one of the newly licensed operators. It related to a “misleading” ad that was not signalled as being related to gambling.

See also: The Netherlands passes law on data for gambling harm research