Vergunde Nederlandse Online Kansspelaanbieders (VNLOK) and Nederlandse Online Gambling Associatie (NOGA), two trade associations for licensed online gambling providers in the Netherlands, have launched ‘Meld Vals Spel’, a reporting centre to highlight illegal online gambling operations in the country.
Meld Vals Spel is an initiative that will allow VNLOK and NOGA members, as well as other licensees, partner organisations and other industry stakeholders, to report any illegal gambling practices they see, such as a lack of player protection, excessive bonuses and minors not being excluded.
To complement the efforts combatting illegal gambling in the Netherlands by the country’s gaming authority Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), VNLOK and NOGA hope that the reporting centre will help “gain a better understanding of the working methods of illegal parties” and contribute to “a more effective approach to illegality and the protection of vulnerable players”.
Meld Vals Spel’s goal is also to warn against the risks of playing on illegal gambling websites, as well as ensure “illegal practices are dealt with severely” by bringing illegal practices to the attention of the KSA, politics and social media.
In addition, NOGA and VNLOK added that such reports can be used as a reason to conduct further investigations and gather information on illegal gambling.
The two trade associations hope Meld Vals Spel can also assist the KSA and consumers in highlighting how illegal gambling sites are using other illegal practices in the Dutch market, such as false logos and company names to advertise themselves and a lack of age verification.
Helma Lodders, Chair of VNLOK and Eric Konings, Acting Director of NOGA, said: “Licensed providers of online gambling have a joint responsibility to offer players a legal, safe and responsible offer. This often goes well, but can also be improved. We work hard on this every day.
“At the same time, many Dutch people still come into contact with illegal gambling sites and apps. These illegal parties actively respond to the increasingly strict Dutch regulations by, for example, advertising on search terms such as ‘playing without limits’ or ‘playing without Cruks’.
“In doing so, they specifically attract (vulnerable) players. These types of illegal practices endanger the safety of players and must be tackled firmly.”
