Chairman Ksa: Gambling regulation is a hot issue
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3 Dec 2024 •
Reading time: 3 minutes The debate surrounding online gambling remains topical. Michel Groothuizen, chairman of the Dutch Gaming Authority (Ksa), looks back on the long road to regulating the gambling market and the challenges that come with it.
Although the Remote Gambling Act (KOA) has only been in force for a few years, its effectiveness already raises questions. The recently published evaluation report puts its finger on the sore spot and calls for improvements.
The origins of the Gaming Authority and regulation
When the Gaming Authority was established, there was hope that the online gambling market would be regulated quickly. However, this took almost ten years longer than expected. Political and social doubts about the consequences of online gambling held up decision-making. Now, a few years after the introduction of the law, the initial support seems to have waned. Critical voices are being heard on both the left and right sides of the political spectrum.
Evaluation of the law: what is going wrong?
The evaluation report on the KOA law paints a worrying picture. Although the law was intended to better protect players, that goal has not yet been fully achieved. The Gaming Authority discovered in 2023 that many providers were not sufficiently complying with their duty of care. Measures such as deposit limits and stricter rules for responsible gaming were only recently introduced, so their effect is not yet fully visible.
Political parties such as the CDA and the SGP even advocate reversing the legalization of online gambling. Others, such as the Christian Union and the SP, want stricter rules, such as a ban on credit cards and restrictions on gambling advertisements.
The fight against illegal providers
Another major problem is the illegal gambling market. These providers use aggressive marketing strategies and even target minors. The Gaming Authority wants more powers to tackle these parties, such as immediately taking illegal websites offline. According to Groothuizen, this is essential to protect players and strengthen the legal market.
Addiction prevention as a priority
An important recommendation from the report is to improve addiction prevention. The Gaming Authority wants to introduce a uniform policy, in which providers follow the same rules and employees receive better training. More attention is also paid to young players, for example through information in schools and campaigns such as last summer.
Groothuizen emphasizes that a total ban on gambling advertisements is not the solution. Without visibility of legal providers, players are more likely to switch to the illegal market, where no rules apply. The goal is to allow players to gamble safely and to better protect them against the risks.
Working together for better regulation
Sitting still is not an option, says Groothuizen. The Gaming Authority is working on an improved policy, in which both prevention and enforcement are central. He has submitted a list of recommendations to State Secretary Teun Struycken. More targeted actions will follow in the coming years to make the online gambling market safer and more transparent, without losing sight of the benefits of regulation.