The Netherlands online gaming postponed yet again, and the Remote Gambling Act is set to come into effect on March 1, 2021, while the market will be ready to start on September 1.
The Minister for Legal Protection Sander Dekker confirmed in a letter that the legislation would come into force two months later than planned and that the market will open six months later.
“This creates more space for all parties involved to prepare for the new law coming into effect,” Dekker explained.
Online gambling in the Netherlands was initially scheduled to launch on 1 January 2021, but in November 2019, gambling regulator the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) pushed back the launch date to 1 July 2021.
In June, the Dutch Minister for Legal Protection Sander Dekker has admitted the launch of online gaming in the Netherlands could face further delays after preparations were disrupted by the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
“On the one hand a number of authorities say: because the casinos have been closed for a while, we now see a huge shift to the illegal sector, so we wish we had the Act [in place] now, because then we can react much more effectively,” Dekker said.
“At the same time, there are also a number of providers that say: we will soon have to meet all kinds of obligations, and how can we prepare for that? Then there’s the fact that my Ministry has also been very busy lately - a lot of things have been going on.
“I do not rule out the possibility of a slight delay,” he said at the time. “I see some room for maneuver there.”
The KSA said this delay followed discussions with a variety of stakeholders.
“The Minister has decided on this timetable after [discussions] with all those involved, including the KSA,” the regulator said.
The Dutch government has notified elements of its online gambling regulation to the European Commission for approval.
These include a requirement for licensees to create a policy on addiction prevention, while players must set maximum credit allowed on their account, as well as details of technical standards, record-holding, and reporting requirements for licensees.
Under the new regulations, bonuses will be restricted and players and operators will be barred from advertising gambling-related services between 6 am and 9 pm, while players may also not receive promotions at this time.