Last March, Rick ‘Serpent’ Broers, a well-known Dutch YouTuber, launched a citizens’ initiative that quickly gained momentum: a petition to ban the Postcode Lottery, or Nationale Postcode Loterij, in its current form. The aim? To reform the prize distribution system, which is based on postcodes and which, in his view, leads to social injustice.
With more than 20,000 signatures already collected, i.e. half the target set, Serpent hopes to change Dutch law and force a discussion within the House of Representatives. But why has this YouTuber taken such a stand against one of the Netherlands’ most popular lotteries?
A controversial lottery
The Postcode Lottery, which is based on a unique principle, differs from traditional lotteries in that prizes are allocated to geographical areas, defined by postcodes, and not to individual ticket numbers. This means that when the jackpot falls in a particular area, only the residents of that area who take part in the lottery can win, leaving out those who have not chosen to play. A system that can create a form of social pressure in these neighbourhoods, where everyone feels obliged to take part to avoid being excluded. This social pressure could have harmful effects, reinforcing inequality between citizens and forcing them to take part in a lottery they may not even approve of.
Invasive marketing and ethical issues
The YouTuber goes a step further by denouncing the intrusive advertising associated with the lottery. People receive unsolicited mail and incessant advertising, which encourages them to sign up for the Postcode Lottery. A phenomenon that, he believes, accentuates the impression that people are in a hurry to play so as not to ‘miss their chance’, rather than taking part for the fun of it or the possibility of winning.
Serpent’s movement: the petition
Serpent has a considerable influence on social networks. With thousands of views on his videos, his stances do not go unnoticed. Instead of being content with online criticism, he has decided to take action by launching an online petition.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Serpent has expressed his opposition to lotteries. In a video from 2017, he already explained his dislike for these types of games, even going so far as to declare, ‘I hate lotteries’. But it’s not a general hatred of gambling that motivates his action. The YouTuber is known for his streams of online casino games, in which he has fun while being transparent about his losses.
However, his criticism of the Postcode Lottery goes far beyond a simple rejection of gambling. It is above all the form taken by this lottery and its social impact that he wants to change. With 152,000 subscribers on YouTube and a huge influence on social networks, Serpent seems determined to make his voice heard and bring about significant change.
Why is this petition becoming so important?
This is not the first time that a content creator has denounced practices that he considers unfair. However, Serpent’s notoriety and his ability to mobilise his community have made this petition a real phenomenon. After several weeks of mobilisation, Serpent’s petition has reached an impressive 20,000 signatures, and the target of 40,000 now seems within reach. This number of signatures is crucial, as it would enable the issue to be brought before the Dutch parliament and force a public debate on the future of the Postcode Lottery.
Reaction to the initiative has been mixed. A survey of 2,000 Dutch people carried out by the TV programme ‘Hart van Nederland’ revealed that 42% of Postcode Lottery participants are afraid of missing out on prizes if their street doesn’t win.
A concern shared by behavioural psychologist Noor Elshof, who sees this phenomenon as unhealthy social pressure:
‘For me, it’s actually very unethical and unsocial to take part in the Postcode Lottery. So I’m very pleased about the citizens’ initiative that has been launched and I would sign it without hesitation. You say to yourself: imagine that my street wins and I don’t have a lottery ticket. That feeling of regret is really very strong.’
The petition has already provoked numerous reactions in the media and among politicians. Some support Serpent’s initiative, arguing that it is high time to adapt gambling systems to better meet public expectations. Others, however, point out that gambling is by nature unpredictable, and that it is unfair to ask for more.
The future of the petition
So what can we expect from this petition? For Serpent, the aim is not just to change the lottery rules, but to bring about a profound change in the way gambling is perceived and regulated in general.In a country where gambling is popular, this petition represents an important stance. For Dutch people who feel crushed by the social pressure generated by the Postcode Lottery, Serpent could well be the voice of those who want fairer luck for all.