According to The Netherlands Online Gambling Association, the Netherlands House of Representatives’ decision to ban online slot machines and gambling advertisements is driving players towards the illegal market.
Casino Nieuws in the Netherlands reported that the Netherlands House of Representatives voted on Tuesday (16th April) to ban any targeted advertising. The Netherlands also banned “high-risk gambling”, which included slots.
Additional motions for mandatory financial risk checking for gambling and identification were also passed in addition to those two proposed by Socialist Party MP Michiel Van Nispen.
The ban must still be made law despite the votes. The Netherlands minister of legal protection Franc Werwind will now review the bill and determine whether it should be approved.
NOGA called the actions “unthinkable and irresponsible” while warning Weerwind to avoid irreversible decision-making.
Peter-Paul de Goeij said, “The House is trying to force decisions based on incorrect figures, assumptions, and unrealistic fears.”
Minister Weerwind is a very cool-headed person. The outgoing cabinet, and the new cabinet that will be formed, are expected to maintain this sensible approach and to never compromise the protection of players online.
NOGA bans to drive offshore players
Prior attempts to completely ban gambling advertising failed prior to Tuesday’s voting. A motion by MP Derk BOSWIJK earlier this year failed to achieve a complete ban of gambling advertising. Van Nispen’s motion for advertising was passed by 77 votes.
The ban on gambling online with “a demonstrably very high risk”, passed on Tuesday with 79 vote.
NOGA believes that 90 percent of Dutch players place bets with licensed providers. The association is concerned that the new legislation will push bettors to the illicit market.
NOGA fears that the ban on advertising could confuse players about whether or not they’re playing with legal providers.
De Goeij said that “a majority of the House of Representatives is playing a costly gamble by allowing online players to choose the legal option.”
If we find out that the politicians made rash decisions, then the consequences will fall on the home.
The Remote Gambling Act will be evaluated by 2024
In the Netherlands, justice and security will evaluate the Remote Gambling Act later this year.
NOGA and De Goeij, however, claim that there aren’t enough data to make a fully informed assessment.
De Goeij continued, “there are not yet enough data for us to take sensible decisions. This is why we’re doing so much research.”
Let’s await the results, then we can have a serious discussion about it and take decisions to protect players online as much as possible from problematic gambling or gambling addiction.
The Netherlands gambling laws
It has not yet been evaluated. Weerwind is already working on plans that will protect its players against gambling-related harms.
The Netherlands has already banned untargeted advertisements, and this ban came into force in July 2023. The Netherlands banned mass advertising through radio and television. Sponsorships of sport were also prohibited, though the Netherlands still has a transitional period for sponsorship agreements.
Weerwind launched a campaign in October to fight digital fraud, following the concerns about online gambling crime.
Weerwind wrote in an open letter at the time: “Everyone should be able play games of chance responsibly.” Responsible gaming, however, can become problematic.
Weerwind introduced additional measures in December of 2023. The providers would have to contact bettors who deposit a minimum of EUR350. Operators will be required to warn players about the risks associated with gambling such large amounts.
CasinoNieuws also reported that Weerwind had introduced other proposals, such as displaying financial amounts in Euro. Weerwind encouraged more research into gambling limits.
