Dutch regulator discusses Remote Gaming Act
The Chairman of the gambling regulator from the Netherlands talked about the new Remote Gaming Act during a Gaming in Holland meeting.
Netherlands.- René Jansen, chairman of Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the regulator from the Netherlands, spoke on Tuesday during a Gaming in Holland meeting in Amsterdam. Jansen talked about the Remote Gaming Act and its implementation.
The chairman discussed the latest developments surrounding the implementation of the Remote Gaming Act in the Netherlands, particularly regarding the licence application. He said that a smooth and effective implementation of the new Act is in the regulator’s interest.
“KSA will have to process a flood of licence applications over two periods of six months; close to 200 potential applicants recently signed up to register their interest. While we certainly don’t expect that many to apply, we would not be surprised to see more than 100 applications. So, let me assure you: you aren’t the only ones who will be affected by the new law, which is also causing quite a stir at the KSA.
“We can’t formulate the final licence conditions until all subordinate legislation has been finalised. Subordinate legislation serves to flesh out the details of a new law, which involves elaborating certain aspects, filling in details, and generally crossing T’s and dotting I’s. However, these details are often crucial when formulating licensing conditions. There’s no point in us telling you to do things a certain way now, only to change our minds later on,” said Jansen. “We are also dependent on political decision-making in certain areas.”
The Dutch market could have strict prevention policies
Jansen said the Netherlands may end up having the world’s strictest addiction prevention policies. KSA will demand operators information regarding efforts that they’ll make to protect players from excessive participation and gambling addiction; what measures they will take to protect the 18.25 age group; steps taken to embed prevention in operational management and organisational culture; and thins done to make sure management staff and employees have sufficient training, knowledge, expertise and skills.
“You will have to demonstrate that all these requirements have been met to qualify for a licence. And let me assure you: we will definitely find out if your measures only exist on paper,” said Jansen.
Advertising restrictions
The Netherlands aims to avoid problems with gambling advertising and will ask licence applicants how various responsibilities been assigned. We’ll ask what measures operators will take to avoid misleading or aggressive advertising.
Moreover, KSA will also ask how operators will make sure players are not incentivised to gamble excessively; how they will ensure advertising does not target vulnerable groups; and how they will apply player bonuses.
“When it comes to assessing the reality behind your situation on paper, we won’t be limiting our focus to advertising and addiction prevention. For example, we will be evaluating your reliability, your integrity policies, the financial continuity of your business, the separation of player credits, your age verification procedures and so on. We want to know exactly who we’re dealing with before we issue an online gambling license; promises and words alone simply won’t cut it. After all, gambling is a high-risk activity,” said Jansen.
“KSA will be granted the authority to issue binding instructions to parties that facilitate illegal online gambling. For example, we can demand that payment service providers working on behalf of illegal online gambling sites immediately stop doing so: no pay, no play. At present, we can only politely ask them to stop providing these services.
“One thing is certain: we’ve got our work cut out for us.”
