Dutch online gaming operators have been warned to cut down on the intensity of advertising or face government pushback. The sector only opened in October, but in that short time has become controversial.
René Jansen, who heads the Netherlands regulator de Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) notes that the government already is talking about banning ads for “high risk” types of gaming.
“It has of course not escaped my notice that the amount of advertising, especially for online games of chance, is causing quite a stir,” he said in a blog post. “An important part of the General Consultation on Gaming in the House of Representatives on 15 December was about this. It became clear that political patience when it comes to this subject is very limited.”
He added, “The House has already passed several motions calling on the government to put an end to gambling advertisements. The new cabinet will soon have to adopt a position on this.”
He concluded, “Everyone understands that some degree of advertising is needed to entice players to switch from illegal to legal providers, but don’t overdo it, I would say.”
He noted that several other European nations have restricted or banned online gaming advertisements and said operators should try not to turn public opinion against them.
