Dutch Authorities Present Stricter Regulations for Ludomania Prevention

Franc Weerwind, a reputable market participant, described some of the new regulations. The Minister for Legal Protection will submit the alterations at the beginning of 2024.

Essence of Changes

Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Dutch regulatory body, highlighted problem segments in current online security and monitoring activities. The organisation noted that those issues put gamblers at considerable risk.

Mr Weerwind also emphasised the need to protect vulnerable user categories, including youth. Cruks, the state’s self-exclusion program, had over 45,000 people registered in July. Almost a quarter of them were less than 25 years old. That is why the Minister insists on increasing the scheme’s awareness among gamblers, especially risk groups.

His proposals were supported by the following political communities:

• Partij voor de Dieren (PvdD);
• Democraten 66 (D66).

The country’s authorities decided to cooperate with the regulator and advice corporations, such as Jellinek. This will help elaborate an integrated and clear approach to solving the problem, while stakeholders will get more equal market conditions.

The package of transformation initiatives will be complemented with the Trimbos Institute’s concept. It is set to identify and provide guidance addressed to problematic gaming behaviour. The program will start to spread among schools in 2024, introducing prevention measures at an early stage.

Focusing on risk audiences will help improve the health of the Dutch gambling landscape in the long run. The segment will become more transparent and protected for all the parties.