Kansspelautoriteit: Extension of online license cannot be taken for granted 

The Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa) warns gambling companies that they should not simply assume that their online license will be extended when the term has expired. 

How does the Kansspelautoriteit assess applications for extension? 

Renske Fikkers, head of the supervision department, represented the Kansspelautoriteit at Gaming in Holland and was happy to provide a brief explanation. For example, the history of the providers is included in the assessment procedure. Both the good and the bad parts of the history of the providers are considered. 

She also provided more information about the changes that the Kansspelautoriteit is experiencing and the importance of consumer protection that is increasingly central. Fikkers took the opportunity to warn the market by stating that an extension should not be taken for granted, assuming they already met the conditions a few years ago. 

Renske Fikkers, head of the supervision department of the Kansspelautoriteit:

“When assessing applications, we take the past into account: both the good and the bad. The Ksa has recently stated more than once that certain behavior is unacceptable and can affect the extension of the permit. These are not empty words on our part.”

Several Members of Parliament have already joined in this debate 

In November 2024, Members of Parliament Bikker (ChristenUnie) and Van Nispen (SP) already took the initiative to submit a bill. This was completely separate from the government. When Members of Parliament submit a proposal themselves, it is appropriately called an initiation law. 

In this way, they can place themes on the political agenda themselves. Both Members of Parliament proposed to tighten up the gambling legislation and one of their measures was the following: Parties that score poorly on compliance with the rules such as the addiction prevention policy will not get an extension of their license. 

The influence of the new gambling policy of State Secretary Struycken 

It was also Renske Fikkers who looked back on the words that former chairman René Jansen of the Kansspelautoriteit spoke at Gaming in Holland. René Jansen pointed out the joint responsibility of the gambling market in the image that is created with the public around gambling. He stated that this perception is mainly formed by the behavior of the gambling companies. 

The vision that the social view of the sector has changed is shared by Renske Fikkers. According to her, the new announced gambling policy would therefore be more in line with how the public currently views gambling. 

Renske Fikkers: 

“This change is of course partly motivated by the idea that current policies do not sufficiently protect people. This simply means one thing: laws and regulations are becoming stricter and the room for manoeuvre for operators is being further restricted.”

Reducing the gap between the Kansspelautoriteit and providers

The proposed measures met with considerable opposition within the sector, but Fikkers indicates that attention is paid to all parties involved. 

The Kansspelautoriteit uses a more proactive and accessible way of communicating with the providers than before. In this way, a faster, but above all more targeted contact is created, which reduces the gap between the supervisor and the providers. 

Has the new working method already proven its effect? 

According to Renske, the new method is appreciated and has certainly proven its effect. This allows for faster response and action in the event of violations. 

This method is part of a process towards structural improvement to be able to function even more effectively, purposefully and adequately as an organization. The Ksa itself calls this “supervisor 2.0” and wants to inspire providers to become “Providers 2.0.” 

According to her, such an evolution should not only lead to an increase in the chance of an extension of the permit, but also to improved consumer protection. 

The Ksa indicated that it wants to fully support positive developments, but must also take measures when violations occur. 

Renske Fikkers:

“If we see that operators are developing good initiatives, I will also mention them first in our reporting. But sometimes even I cannot make things look better than they are.”

Fikkers was referring to the fine that was recently imposed for breach of duty of care. A licensee was fined 734 0000 euros because they failed to respond in time when young adults gambled away tens of thousands of euros. The name of the legal online casino was not made public. 

Advertising rules are often violated 

Renske Fikkers also highlights that advertising regulations are still violated very often. The Kansspelautoriteit regrets these events, because a complete ban on gambling advertising then becomes increasingly realistic. And the Kansspelautoriteit is not at all in favor of a complete ban, because such a ban would only strengthen the illegal market. 

This could lead consumers completely into a web of deceit and danger. Illegal parties do not comply with any regulations and consumers run the risk that their personal data and payment information can be misused. 

What impact will the reorganization of the Kansspelautoriteit have?

In their annual report, the Kansspelautoriteit announces that a reorganization is coming. This step includes the launch of a new department. 

The plan is to set up an independent department later this year, with the primary goal of preventing gambling-related harm. Renske Fikkers emphasizes that this is one of their main goals.