In response to concerns raised by an MP, Mr. Sander Dekker, the Netherlands Minister for Legal Protection, recently declared that the Dutch Government will pledge its energy on protecting children and young adults from gambling-related harm when the country’s legal gambling market will open on April 1st.
The Netherlands iGaming market is set to open this year, after few delays, but there are concerns about player protection and exposing underage people to the gambling world.
In the past year, there have been many concerns regarding problem gambling and whether opening up the market will increase gambling-related harm. The Dutch Remote Gambling Act (KOA) has been delayed a number of times but Dekker has disclosed that the newly amended laws will come into effect by April and the market will open in October.
The questions raised by MP Stieneke van der Graff are related to section 7.2 of the Dutch Remote Gambling Act (KOA), which refers to how certain articles within the Act can be implemented at different times if the government sees fit. The MP suggested allowing Section B of the Articles 6.2 to be enforced and the gambling ads to not be allowed for people aged 24 or under.
Dekker clarified that, as part of the licensing requirements, licensees must make sure that adverts do not target young adults or children, therefore there is no need to implement Section B of Article 6.2 at an earlier stage.
“Licensees may not target their advertising at minors,” Dekker said. “For license-holders who offer games of chance, they are not allowed to carry any advertising that focuses on young adults. Therefore, earlier entry into force of Article 6.2. of the Act is not necessary.”
The MP also asked if the current restrictions related to some gambling ads appearing on television before 9 pm would remain in place. In his statement, Dekker declared that this requirement, which became law in November 2020, would remain and apply to all licensees when the market launches.
“For higher-risk games of chance, it is prohibited to broadcast adverts for this on television between 6 am and 9 pm,” Dekker said. “For other games of chance, this prohibition applies between 6 am and 7 pm.”
Have been raised many concerns regarding people that already have a gambling problem and if they would receive any help.
In terms of the help on offer to those who do suffer from gambling problems, van der Graff asked whether the government would consider working with people who specialize in this area when developing its support options.
The Legal Protection Minister stated that the tools focused on prevention were drawn up after working closely with experts in addiction prevention and care.
He also added that license-holders will require to have policies in place to prevent addiction problems while also offer support to anyone suffering.
Companies will be able to do this by receiving expert advice when compiling information on addiction prevention.
“To be able to connect sufficiently with the Dutch system of addiction treatment, it is necessary for the licensee to engage an expert organization when compiling information regarding addiction prevention,” Dekker said.
“This will improve the quality of the information and the interest of the player to protect them from gambling addiction monitored.”
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