Research reveals: gambling companies not sufficient in helping gambling addicts
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7 Nov 2024 •
Reading time: 4 minutes Since the online gambling market opened three years ago, the problems seem to have only increased. Young adults in particular, a vulnerable group, are increasingly suffering from gambling addiction. This is evident from a new evaluation of the gambling law, commissioned by the WODC (Research and Data Centre). The intention of the gambling law was to better protect players and prevent addiction, but little has come of this.
What the law wanted to achieve and why it fails
With the gambling law, the government hoped that gambling companies would take responsibility themselves to prevent gambling addiction. But in practice, this works very differently, the evaluation shows. The WODC tested how well companies adhere to this duty of care. They sent mystery shoppers, people who pretended to be regular gamblers, to various online casinos. These shoppers asked for help in the chat, something that should indicate that they may have addiction problems.
What happened? Of the 23 gambling sites, 17 simply referred to their bonus page, instead of to help with addiction. Only six companies actually offered help, and only two of them blocked the account to prevent the person from gambling any further. One gambling company even called three times to help – including on the weekend. But yes, these are exceptions and not the norm.
Gambling companies choose profit over duty of care
According to the researchers, this behavior is typical of the situation with the gambling law. Gambling companies have simply been given too much freedom. They must offer help, but they mainly feel the pressure to retain their customers and not lose them to the competition. And yes, when it comes to making money, many companies prefer to continue to fulfill their duty of care superficially. The researchers even call it “perverse incentives”: rules that in practice actually motivate companies the wrong way. “We should have seen this coming,” they say.
They warn that it is naive to think that companies, which depend on gamblers for their profit, can really provide the best care for these people. The Gaming Authority can now fine and warn offenders, but according to the researchers, that is not enough. They propose to even temporarily close companies if things go wrong. This way, gambling sites would at least notice that there is something really at stake if they do not take their duty of care seriously.
Gambling law remains under fire three years after introduction
The Gambling Act finally came into effect in 2021, after years of discussions. From that moment on, gambling companies were allowed to legally offer online gambling, provided they adhered to certain rules. In this evaluation, the researchers looked at fifteen of these measures. Six of them turned out to be “insufficient” and only five scored “good.” The rules that are supposed to prevent gambling addiction in particular received a big fail. In the area of fraud and crime, however, the law seems to be doing well.
Criticism of advertisements and concerns about supervision
This is not the first time that the gambling law has been criticized. Immediately after its introduction, there were a flood of complaints, especially about the many gambling advertisements in which well-known Dutch people were used. Experts warned that more and more people would get into trouble as a result. The Gaming Authority, which supervises the gambling market, also came under fire, because many companies allegedly do not take their duty of care seriously.
Gambling rules tightened, but is that enough?
Since the introduction of the law, various rules have been tightened. Advertisements were regulated more strictly, the duty of care was clarified, and limits were introduced for players. For example, if gamblers want to increase their limit, they must demonstrate that they have sufficient income. But the researchers doubt whether this works sufficiently. Players can now go to no fewer than 26 different gambling sites. If they are refused at one, they simply try the next. And advertising? It continues to be thrown into the world via other sites.
Political reactions: concern about the consequences for young people
Not everyone is surprised by the harsh conclusions in the report. SP MP Michiel van Nispen calls it “disturbing but not unexpected.” He points out the damage that gambling can cause, such as addiction and financial problems. Van Nispen is fierce: “This law was introduced in an irresponsible manner, and we are now dealing with the social consequences.”
ChristenUnie MP Mirjam Bikker also expressed her concern. “Gambling is bad news for young people in the Netherlands. The gambling industry is increasingly resembling the tobacco industry: addictive and dangerous.” Both MPs want stricter rules, such as a ban on gambling advertisements, to better manage the risks for young people.
State Secretary Struycken: “Something really needs to change”
State Secretary Struycken, who is responsible for Legal Protection, admits that the protection of vulnerable players is not working as he had hoped. “Protection of vulnerable people must come first, and something really needs to change,” Struycken told NOS reporters. He will respond to the findings and possible steps to amend the gambling law before the end of the year.