The National Information Centre for Gambling Players (Slicks) in the Netherlands is in the process of setting up a new pilot centre in Amsterdam to support problem gamblers.
Financed by the Addiction Prevention Fund (VPF), the pilot project will look to help Amsterdam residents suffering with signs of problem gambling.
The project will include a low-threshold drop-in facility along the Keizersgracht canal in the city, where Slicks will offer follow-up steps to those who need assistance with their gambling.
The aim is to provide gamblers with information, advice and support from experts and other problem bettors, with individual guidance programmes available, as well as workshops and group awareness sessions.
Slicks’ project will be evaluated in a year’s time, when it will be decided whether the centre has achieved its objectives and further expansion into other locations is necessary.
The VPF was established in 2021 and is financed via a statutory levy on operators providing “risky” games of chance, such as slots. The fund is managed by the Dutch regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), which directs the resources towards objectives such as the prevention of gambling addiction.
Busy start to 2025 for gambling in the Netherlands
Meanwhile, the KSA has been busy handing out penalties in the New Year, including a €200,000 (£168,842/$206,071) penalty on Baco’s Zaal Bingo, an unlicensed bingo operator which hosted an event on its Facebook page.
The organiser had previously been warned and Baco has been ordered to cease its activities immediately, with the €200,000 fine to be paid if it fails to do so.
An even more severe punishment was handed to Winning Poker Network, which the KSA fined €1.3 million for unlicensed poker operations in the Netherlands.
The KSA also announced it has issued seven warnings to operators for breaches of gambling advertising rules in the country, such as targeting minors.
