Dutch legislators stopped short of approving a proposal to forbid gambling advertisements, but did vote to enforce loss limits and for more robust penalties for violating the Remote Gambling Act (KOA Act), Yogonet reported February 15.
The online gaming market was launched in 2021.
Members of parliament argued over proposals for overhauling the Netherlands’ gaming architecture, including a blanket ban on gambling ads, that won support from several parties, but fell short by five votes of the needed 76.
The chamber did approve, by a vote of 79, a proposal from Mirjam Bikker for “overarching playing limits” to protect online gaming consumers and to enforce a “universal loss limit” on all 27 licensed operators, who would not be allowed to offer customers any increase.
This conflicts with proposed rules by Minister for Legal Protections Franc Weerwind, who argued that financial risk checks are already included in the existing amendments. These include compulsory monthly financial risk checks for players who spend more than €350. Weerwind also plans to introduce a loss limit of €150 per month for players 24 years old and younger.
He said his proposals are backed by nearly two dozen Dutch public health specialists.
Bikker urged Weerwind to require a fixed loss limit on operators by the end of this year.
Per Yogonet, he said, “the motion was passed despite the minister advising against it. I would very much like a response from the minister before the Games of Chance committee debate on how he intends to implement it.”
MP Michiel van Nispen’s amendment to stiffen fines for violating online gambling law was also backed by a vote of 102. Nispen called for tough measures against violating operators: “As far as we are concerned, a warning is followed by a fine, and one that really hurts, for example, 10 per cent of turnover. In our opinion, permits should also be revoked in the event of recidivism.” He called violators “cowboys without morals.”
Meanwhile Weerwind has launched a consultation on applying play limits as a mandatory requirement of the KOA, which governs the regulated online gaming market. The consultation, which ends April 3, seeks feedback from stakeholders on tightening consumer protection measures and emphasizing customer care obligations by operators.
The new protections would take effect October 1, 2024.
The minister has endorsed requiring operators to undertake compulsory financial check on players who bet more than €350 a month. When consumers spend more than that, they will be referred to trained addiction prevention staff.
Operators will also be required to remind customers every 30 minutes about their gambling behavior.
