The Netherlands publishes secondary gambling regulations
The government has officially published further regulations including a ban on using sports teams in gambling ads.
The Netherlands.- The Dutch government has published secondary gambling regulations in the country’s official gazettes.
The further regulations, which come ahead of the Netherlands’ launch of a regulated igaming market in April, include a ban on using sports teams in ads and new rules on bonuses.
See also: Dutch regulator clarifies rules for igaming licence applications
The Netherlands had already proposed a ban on using individual athletes in ads in its prior consultation and submission to the European Commission.
However, the final regulations go further and ban the use of sports teams as well.
Respondents to the government’s consultation noted that sports teams were role models for young people just as much as individual athletes.
Gambling sponsorship in sport is still permitted but betting will be banned on certain sporting events, including football matches in the Dutch third division or lower, under-21 or younger age categories and in non-FIFA friendlies.
The government recognised that gambling operators had voiced concerns that the rules may have an impact on channelisation but said player protection was more important.
The regulations also set the processing fee for gaming licences at €48,000.
Changes in igaming bonus regulations
Another change in the regulations is that operators will now be allowed to offer bonuses to customers who do not explicitly opt in to receive them. A ban on timed bonuses remains in place.
The rules also provide details on how operators must intervene with players who show signs of problematic behaviour, setting out various technical standards.
